Key facts
- A US airstrike on a migrant detention center in Saada, Yemen, on April 28, 2025, killed at least 68 African migrants.
- The majority of those killed were young Ethiopian men.
- Survivors reported severe injuries and trauma, with some facing permanent disabilities.
- Families of the victims are seeking justice, accountability, and compensation.
- Amnesty International has criticized the lack of progress in investigations and accountability.
- The US State Department did not respond to requests for comment.
A US airstrike on a migrant detention center in Saada, Yemen, on April 28, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 68 African migrants, primarily Ethiopians. Families in Ethiopia are mourning their losses and seeking justice and compensation.
Hiwot Mehari, one of the victims, had left Ethiopia seeking economic opportunity in Saudi Arabia. His parents, Mehari Akeza and Mebrat Gebre, received news of his death from a neighbor in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, devastated by the loss of their son who had spoken of an imminent reunion.
Survivors described the victims as all Ethiopian men, mostly in their early 20s. Haben Tuemzgi, a survivor with severe leg and hand injuries, expressed despair over his condition and the perceived inability of ordinary people to sue powerful nations like the United States under the Trump administration.
Amnesty International stated that over a year after the strike, no one has been held accountable, and families are still denied basic information. The organization called for a transparent investigation, accountability, and appropriate compensation.
Many young Ethiopians, particularly from Tigray, undertake dangerous journeys to the Gulf states in search of employment due to economic hardship at home. The Ethiopian government has discouraged illegal migration and signed labor deals with Gulf states, but many still resort to hazardous routes.