38 dead as US strikes Houthi-controlled fuel port in Yemen

A major US airstrike on the Ras Isa fuel port in western Yemen, which is under the control of Houthi rebels, left at least 38 people dead and 102 others injured. The report came from Reuters, quoting the Houthi-run media outlet Al Masirah.

This is considered one of the largest US attacks on the Iran-backed Houthis in recent times.

According to Al Masirah, the main goal of the US military was to cut off the Houthis' fuel supply. Several important facilities at the port were hit during the attack, causing heavy casualties.

Although the Houthis reported the number of people killed and injured, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has not officially commented yet. However, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), US Central Command said the attack aimed to weaken the Houthis' economic capabilities.

Since last month, the US has been carrying out regular attacks on Houthi targets. The US says these operations will continue until the Houthis stop attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks on various ships in the Red Sea. They claim the attacks are in protest of the war in Gaza and to show solidarity with Palestinians by targeting ships linked to Israel.

During a two-month ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis paused their attacks. But last month, after Israeli forces resumed their actions in Gaza, the Houthis threatened to restart attacks—though they haven’t claimed responsibility for any recent ones.

Houthi officials also said that in a previous US operation in March, more than 50 people were killed.

Analysts say this recent strike is among the largest military operations against the Houthis since Donald Trump resumed office as US President in January.