A U.S. airstrike targeting the Ras Isa fuel port in western Yemen killed at least 38 people and injured 102 others on Thursday, according to Houthi-controlled media. The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents since the United States began military operations against the Houthis.
The airstrikes, aimed at disrupting fuel supplies used by the Houthi movement, were confirmed by the U.S. Central Command, which stated the operation was intended to weaken the group’s economic infrastructure.
“These strikes were meant to diminish the Houthis’ economic power, which they continue to use to inflict suffering on their own people,” CENTCOM posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The U.S. military began its campaign of large-scale strikes against Houthi positions last month, vowing to continue until attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea cease.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched numerous drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea, claiming they were targeting ships linked to Israel in response to the war in Gaza.
During a two-month truce in Gaza, the Houthis paused their maritime attacks. Although they pledged to resume operations after Israel renewed its military actions last month, no new claims have been made since then.
Thursday’s airstrike is among the most fatal since the U.S. began its military operations in Yemen. In March, Houthi sources reported that more than 50 people were killed in U.S. air raids carried out over two days.
