NYN | News
Amnesty International has accused the United States of committing a war crime following a U.S. military airstrike on a detention center for African migrants in the city of Saada, northwestern Yemen, on April 28. The strike resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.
In a report published today on its official website, the organization stated that the U.S. strike constituted an “indiscriminate and unjustified attack” targeting a clearly identifiable civilian facility. Amnesty confirmed that the U.S. military failed to comply with international humanitarian law during the operation.
The report explained that the findings were based on testimonies from survivors and Ethiopian migrants, along with analysis of digital evidence and satellite imagery. These revealed that the targeted building was overcrowded with civilian detainees and showed no indication of any military presence inside.
Kristin Beckerle, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, described the incident as “horrific,” emphasizing that the U.S. airstrike deliberately targeted unarmed detainees without distinction. She called for an immediate and transparent investigation and for those responsible for the attack — including under the principle of command responsibility — to be held accountable. Beckerle also urged financial and moral compensation for the victims and their families.
The organization noted that the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) had been using the center for years to detain migrants, and that its civilian nature was widely known.
Amnesty further urged Washington to launch an independent and comprehensive investigation into the strike and to make its findings public, while also calling on the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) to review its practices related to the detention of migrants.
