Amnesty Calls for Investigation into U.S. Airstrike on Yemen Detention Center

Amnesty Calls for Investigation into U.S. Airstrike on Yemen Detention Center
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Amnesty International said Wednesday that a U.S. airstrike that struck a detention center in Saada, Yemen, in April should be investigated as a potential war crime. The attack, part of Operation Rough Rider, hit a facility holding African migrants and reportedly killed at least 68 people while injuring 47 others.

Amnesty released a report titled “It is a miracle we survived: U.S. Air Strike on Civilians Held in Sa’ada Detention Centre”, which includes interviews with 15 survivors and analysis of satellite imagery and footage. The organization said the strike hit a civilian building packed with detainees, and called it a “lethal failure” to comply with international humanitarian law requiring verification that military targets are being attacked.

Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, urged the U.S. to provide reparations to victims and their families, including financial compensation. She also called for a prompt, thorough, independent, and transparent investigation and, where evidence exists, prosecution of those responsible, including under the doctrine of command responsibility.

CENTCOM previously stated that the operations were conducted using detailed intelligence aimed at minimizing civilian harm but declined to provide specifics, citing operational security. Amnesty stressed that survivors deserve full justice, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition.