The US military has confirmed the destruction of a key fuel terminal in Yemen’s Red Sea port of Ras Isa, targeting infrastructure used by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement.
The strike, carried out on Thursday, is part of Washington’s ongoing campaign to restrict the Houthis’ access to resources and funding.
According to the Houthis, at least 38 people were killed in the attack, including several paramedics. US officials have yet to comment on the reported death toll.
The airstrike marks a significant escalation in the US-led effort to curtail Houthi military capabilities, following a surge in attacks over the past month. The Houthis began targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the Israel-Gaza war erupted in October 2023, prompting fears for global shipping routes.
Their strikes have sunk vessels and forced major shipping companies to reroute around Africa, avoiding the Red Sea—a critical artery for nearly 15% of global seaborne trade.
The latest operation follows a recent misstep where details of a covert plan were exposed after a journalist was mistakenly added to a private Signal chat among senior officials.
As the US intensifies its military operations, concerns grow over the humanitarian toll in Yemen and the potential for broader regional escalation.
