US Strikes on Yemeni Migrant Detention Centre Result in 68 Deaths

The Houthi movement has launched its first attack on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Red Sea, employing a mix of cruise missiles and drones. This aggressive action comes in the wake of a recent U.S. airstrike on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil port in Yemen, which claimed at least 74 lives and has been described as one of the deadliest U.S. strikes in the region, according to Crux World. The Houthis have promised further retaliation, condemning U.S. support for Israel and its military interventions in the Middle East. The escalating conflict is raising alarms internationally over the potential disruptions to global shipping routes and the broader implications for regional stability. U.S. officials have not yet commented on the attack, but analysts suggest that the situation could intensify as both sides prepare for possible escalation. With mounting casualties and heightened military activities, the conflict continues to attract significant geopolitical scrutiny.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have vowed to escalate their military actions in response to recent U.S. airstrikes that reportedly killed multiple Houthi leaders, including the security chief of Abdulmalik al-Houthi. The U.S. strikes, which took place in Saada, were confirmed by Saudi state television Al-Hadath and mark the first military action since President Donald Trump resumed office in January 2025. Trump had previously warned the Houthis that they would face severe repercussions for their actions. In retaliation, on March 17, the Houthis announced they had launched 18 missiles and a drone attack against the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying vessels in the Red Sea. The group's spokesperson stated that the attacks were a direct response to what they described as "continued American aggression" against Yemen. This escalation raises concerns about further conflict in the already war-torn country, as both sides prepare for potential heightened military engagement in the region.

Yemen's ongoing civil war has led to rising fears among humanitarian workers following a series of arrests by Houthi rebels. According to BBC Arabic, 24 UN employees and workers from various NGOs were detained in recent months, leading to a climate of fear that has caused many organizations to scale back their operations. Hanaa, an employee of a US-funded NGO focused on women's empowerment, witnessed her workplace raided, with her boss arrested and their bank account frozen. The UN reports that nearly 10 million children are among the 17 million people needing humanitarian aid in Yemen, which has now become one of the world’s most severe crises. Legal representatives noted complications in supporting detained individuals, who face uncertainty regarding their circumstances. Human Rights Watch warned that the combination of the Houthis' arrests and new US aid restrictions could lead to devastating consequences for aid efforts in the country. Hanaa expressed her concern that US policy changes might increase hostility towards those working with US-funded projects, jeopardizing crucial assistance to vulnerable populations like Amal, a mother living in a displacement camp.