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Human rights

US Airstrike in Yemen Should be Investigated as a War Crime, Amnesty International Says

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Amnesty International is calling for an investigation into a US airstrike that killed at least 68 African migrants in a Houthi detention center in Yemen in April. The organization claims that the airstrike was a war crime and has released a report detailing the testimonies of 15 survivors and analysis of satellite imagery and footage. The report, "It is a miracle we survived: U.S. Air Strike on Civilians Held in Sa'ada Detention Centre," alleges that the US failed to comply with international humanitarian law and that the airstrike was a lethal failure to verify whether the object attacked was a military objective.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amnesty International is calling for an investigation into the April 2023 US airstrike on a Houthi detention center in Yemen, which killed at least 68 African migrants.
  • The organization claims that the airstrike was a war crime and that the US failed to comply with international humanitarian law.
  • 15 survivors of the airstrike were interviewed for Amnesty International's report, which also includes analysis of satellite imagery and footage.
  • The US has conducted airstrikes in Yemen as part of Operation Rough Rider to protect the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, which are supported by Iran.
  • Amnesty International is demanding that the US provide reparations to the migrants and their families, including financial compensation, and that the US authorities investigate the attack as a war crime.
  • The organization is also calling for the US to conduct a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the airstrike and to make the results public.

Statistics:

  • At least 68 African migrants were killed in the April 2023 US airstrike on a Houthi detention center in Yemen.
  • 47 migrants were injured in the airstrike.
  • The US airstrikes in Yemen have been conducted to protect the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, which are supported by Iran.

Sources:

  • Amnesty International, "It is a miracle we survived: U.S. Air Strike on Civilians Held in Sa'ada Detention Centre"
  • US Central Command (CENTCOM) statement on April 27, 2023

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