Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday alleged a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment.
The strike in Yemen’s Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country’s decadelong war to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other nations who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.
It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the rebels as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
Meanwhile the Houthis annouced on that they have attacked the US aircraft carrier “USS Truman” and its escort vessels in the Red Sea.
In a statement, the group said the attacks came in response to the United States committing “two massacres,” one in Sanaa and another at a migrant detention center in Saada, where 60 African migrants were killed and 65 others wounded.
According to the group, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles were launched during the operation, forcing the US carrier to “retreat to the far north of the Red Sea.” The Houthis vowed to continue targeting US naval forces in the Red and Arabian Seas “until the aggression on Yemen stops.”
The Houthis also announced a separate drone strike on a “vital Israeli target” in Ashkelon using a “Yafa-type drone,” linking the operation to their declared support for Gaza.
