Yemen's Huthi says 68 killed in US strikes on migrant centre

Huthi-affiliated media in Yemen said Monday that US strikes targeted a migrant detention centre and killed at least 68 people and wounded 50 in Saada.

The US military has hammered the Huthis with near-daily strikes since March 15 in an operation dubbed "Rough Rider," seeking to end what they deem a threat to vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

The Huthis launched strikes targeting Israel and Western vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians after Israel intensified its genocide in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.

The Israeli genocide has killed at least 52,243 Palestinians and injured 117,639.

On Sunday, the military said it has hit more than 800 targets in Yemen since mid-March, killing hundreds of Huthi rebels, including members of the group's leadership.

On Monday, Huthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV said US strikes had targeted a detention centre for African migrants, and that 35 bodies had been "pulled from the rubble".

Civil defence teams and the Red Crescent are continuing their efforts at the scene of the American crime," it said.

AFP could not independently confirm the veracity of Al-Masirah's claim that the strikes had hit a migrant detention centre, or the toll.

AFP has contacted the US military for comment.

According to a statement cited by Al-Masirah from the Huthi administration's interior ministry, the centre housed "115 migrants, all from Africa".

The broadcaster showed footage of bodies stuck under the rubble and of rescuers working to help the casualties.

- 'We will continue' -

The Huthis began targeting shipping in late 2023, preventing ships from passing through the Suez Canal -- a vital route that normally carries about 12 percent of global trade -- forcing many companies into a costly detour around the tip of southern Africa.

In a statement that provided its most detailed accounting of the operation so far, the US military command responsible for the Middle East said: "Since the start of Operation Rough Rider, USCENTCOM has struck over 800 targets.

"These strikes have killed hundreds of Huthi fighters and numerous Huthi leaders."

"The strikes have destroyed multiple command-and-control facilities, air defence systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, and advanced weapons storage locations," CENTCOM said.

Despite the strikes, the Huthis -- who control large swaths of Yemen and have been at war with a Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally recognised government since 2015 -- have continued to claim attacks against both US vessels and Israel.

CENTCOM said that "while the Huthis have continued to attack our vessels, our operations have degraded the pace and effectiveness of their attacks. Ballistic missile launches have dropped by 69 percent. Additionally, attacks from one-way attack drones have decreased by 55 percent."

"Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Huthis. The Huthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime," the military command said.

"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.

- Strikes on Sanaa -

Al-Masirah TV on Sunday reported that US strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa had killed at least eight people and wounded others.

The channel also broadcast footage of the rubble of destroyed homes and cars, as well as blood stains on the ground, while rescuers collected what appeared to be human remains in white cloth.

Also on Sunday, Huthi media said earlier strikes on Sanaa had killed two people and wounded several more.

The United States first began conducting strikes against the Huthis under Joe Biden's administration, and President Donald Trump has vowed that military action against the rebels will continue until they are no longer a threat to shipping.