Amnesty International has urgently called for a comprehensive investigation into a US airstrike that targeted a migrant detention center in Sa’ada, north-western Yemen, this past April. The attack, part of a broader military conflict titled “Operation Rough Rider,” has raised significant concerns about potential violations of international law due to the high number of civilian casualties reported.

The military operation, which lasted 45 days, saw a tense stand-off between US forces and Houthi rebels, involving multiple US airstrikes within Yemen and reciprocal missile attacks by Houthis targeting US warships in the Red Sea. Amnesty International's subsequent investigation into the airstrikes has highlighted that the migrant detention center hit during the attack showed "no evidence of being a military objective." Survivors from the center described the facility as an "open space," clearly visible to those conducting the strike, casting doubts on the legitimacy of the target.

Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The US must conduct a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the air strike on the Sa’ada migrant detention center and make the results public.”

The backdrop to these military actions includes President Donald Trump’s March statement attributing a decrease in Red Sea commerce to Houthi attacks, which he claimed had a “sustained negative impact on global trade and the economic security of the United States.” This has led to a considerable reduction in the number of merchant ships traveling through the Red Sea, with a significant rerouting of US- and UK-affiliated vessels.

Further complicating the international response, Human Rights Watch and the European Union have both condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea as war crimes, underscoring the broader implications of the conflict on global commerce and safety.

Amnesty's call for an investigation into the US airstrike is part of a broader critique of US military operations in Yemen. The rights group had already condemned the April 28 airstrikes, asserting that they breached international law by failing to adequately ensure the targets were legitimate military objectives.

This incident and the ongoing conflict highlight the complex interplay of military strategy, international trade, and human rights considerations in one of the world’s most volatile regions. As international watchdogs continue to press for transparency and accountability, the global community watches closely, hoping for resolutions that prioritize civilian safety and adhere to international legal standards.