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| Caption: File photo: Xinhua news agency |
Tehran, April 29 (Thetrendingpeople) — Iran has fiercely condemned the United States for a series of lethal airstrikes on Yemen, including a targeted attack on a detention center housing African migrants. The strikes, which hit the capital Sanaa and the northern province of Saada on Sunday, have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 78 individuals, including 68 African migrants, and have left dozens injured.
In an official statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the attacks as "war crimes" and accused the United States of blatant violations of international law and Yemen’s sovereignty.
“These attacks targeted civilian areas, critical infrastructure, and homes, killing hundreds of innocent people. The US is responsible for these crimes, and their actions should not go unpunished,” said Baghaei.
Call for Action From the Islamic World
Baghaei further urged Islamic nations and global powers to intervene and halt what he termed as the massacre of Yemen’s Muslim population. He also linked the ongoing airstrikes to the broader regional unrest, referencing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, which Iran has repeatedly called genocide perpetrated by Israel.
Global Outcry and Humanitarian Concerns
The statement also targeted international organizations, including the United Nations and global human rights groups, criticizing their "deafening silence" in the face of what Iran calls repeated violations of human rights and international norms.
The detention facility that was struck is located in Saada, a northern province under Houthi control. The Houthi-run media agency said all the victims were illegal African migrants who were being detained at the center, awaiting deportation or processing.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reiterated that despite Yemen’s ongoing civil war, it remains a critical transit point for thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa attempting to reach Saudi Arabia.
US-Houthi Escalation Intensifies
Sunday’s deadly airstrikes come amid a sharp escalation in tensions between the Houthi rebels and the United States. Washington resumed airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas on March 15, 2025, citing the need to protect commercial and military shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea from attacks.
Since then, the US Central Command has confirmed that over 800 targets linked to the Houthi group have been bombed. These airstrikes have focused on missile launch sites, radar systems, weapons caches, and now, tragically, civilian infrastructure.
The latest attack is one of the deadliest incidents since the air campaign began six weeks ago. Eyewitnesses and humanitarian workers on the ground have described scenes of devastation, with local hospitals overwhelmed by the number of casualties.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
Analysts say the strikes are part of a broader strategy to curb Iran-backed groups in the region who have aligned themselves in opposition to US and Israeli interests. The Houthi rebels have justified their attacks on maritime shipping as a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, drawing regional attention to Israel’s military operations there.
Iran, a key supporter of the Houthis, has consistently criticized US involvement in Yemen, calling it an illegal occupation and a catalyst for prolonged instability. The US maintains that its actions are necessary to protect global shipping lanes and deter terrorism.
Mounting Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Yemen, which was already the site of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The UN estimates that more than 20 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian aid, with millions displaced and thousands killed since the civil war began in 2014.
The airstrike on the migrant detention center is expected to further strain international relations and deepen the humanitarian crisis. Human rights organizations are demanding an immediate investigation into the incident.
“We are shocked and deeply concerned by this attack. Civilians, including migrants, must never be targets in conflict,” said a spokesperson from Human Rights Watch.
The US airstrikes in Yemen have not only intensified tensions between Tehran and Washington but have also ignited outrage across the Islamic world. As global condemnation mounts, pressure is building on international bodies to step in and prevent further civilian casualties.
The situation in Yemen remains highly volatile, with no clear end in sight. As the death toll rises, the world watches closely to see whether diplomacy or further violence will define the next chapter in this prolonged conflict.
