A new investigation reveals devastating civilian losses in a US-led air strike on a detention facility in Sa’ada, raising urgent calls for accountability and justice.
Civilian Lives Shattered in Yemen Air Strike
A US air strike in Yemen that killed and injured dozens of African migrants earlier this year may amount to a war crime, according to a detailed Amnesty International investigation. The attack, which struck a migrant detention centre in Sa’ada on 28 April 2025, was part of “Operation Rough Rider” — a US military campaign that Amnesty says inflicted catastrophic civilian harm on people detained solely for their irregular immigration status.
The report, titled “It Is a Miracle We Survived”, draws on interviews with 15 Ethiopian survivors and extensive analysis of satellite imagery, videos, and photos. The findings suggest that the US military failed to distinguish between civilian and military targets, violating one of the core principles of international humanitarian law.
A “Lethal Failure” to Protect Civilians
Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, described the incident as a “lethal failure” of the United States to comply with its obligation to verify military targets before attacking.
“The harrowing testimonies from survivors paint a clear picture of a civilian building, packed with detainees, being bombed without distinction,” Beckerle said. “Victims and their families deserve full reparations, including financial compensation. The US should investigate this attack as a war crime.”
Amnesty formally requested information from US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in late August, seeking clarity on the intended target and the precautions taken. CENTCOM replied only briefly, stating it was still “assessing reports of civilian harm.”
A Civilian Facility, Not a Military Target
According to Amnesty’s findings, there was no evidence that the Sa’ada migrant detention centre was a military objective. The facility, part of the Sa’ada prison compound, had long been used by the Huthi authorities to detain migrants and was well-known to humanitarian agencies.
This strike echoes a deadly 2022 Saudi-led coalition attack on another part of the same compound, which killed more than 90 detainees using a US-made precision-guided munition. Given that history, Amnesty argues, US forces should have known the site was a civilian facility.
Survivors Tell of Horror and Loss
Survivors described waking before dawn to the sound of explosions and desperately trying to escape. Guards reportedly fired warning shots to prevent them from fleeing, moments before a second blast hit the building.
Of the 117 migrants detained, 61 were killed and 56 injured, according to Huthi officials. Amnesty’s interviews revealed harrowing injuries: amputations, severe burns, and trauma that will last a lifetime.
One survivor, Hagos, who lost his leg in the blast, said:
“You just wish you were dead there… I’m begging for money from friends to get treatment and medicine.”
Another, Desta, who lost an eye and suffered a head injury, said he was unable to speak for 20 days after the attack:
“It killed lots of people, made us disabled, and left others in shock and terror.”
Calls for Accountability and Reform
Amnesty International is urging US authorities to investigate the air strike transparently and prosecute anyone responsible under the doctrine of command responsibility. The organization also warned that key civilian harm mitigation systems within the Pentagon are at risk under the current administration, calling on Congress to maintain funding and oversight.
“The US has both a legal and moral obligation to protect civilians and ensure accountability,” Amnesty said. “Failing to do so undermines its credibility and perpetuates a cycle of impunity.”
The Human Cost of War
This tragedy highlights the human cost of the Yemen conflict, where foreign military involvement continues to claim civilian lives long after frontlines have shifted. As survivors struggle to rebuild their lives, Amnesty’s findings serve as a stark reminder: every strike has a story, and every life lost demands justice.