US airstrike on Yemeni oil port kills 38, leaves over 100 injured

At least 38 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a US airstrike targeting Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port on Thursday, according to Houthi-affiliated media reports.

All of the deceased were employees working at the port. Houthi officials condemned the strike as an act of aggression, saying it would not deter Yemenis from supporting Palestinians.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the attack in a statement posted on X, stating that the strike aimed to disrupt the Houthis' fuel supply chain and weaken their financial resources.

“Today, US forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists,” CENTCOM said. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the Houthis’ economic power, not to harm the Yemeni people.”

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Amid the barrage of US airstrikes, most of the munitions reportedly hit the premises of the oil port, which serves as a key terminal for imports and exports in Yemen.

The civilian casualties triggered outrage across the country.

In response, Houthi officials reiterated their resolve, stating that such attacks would only “strengthen the steadfastness and resilience” of the Yemeni people in support of Palestine.

Following the airstrike, Israel announced on Friday that it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

US airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen have become a daily occurrence since March 15.

The campaign was launched in an effort to deter Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels navigating critical international shipping lanes.

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The Houthi movement has targeted not only US military assets but also Israeli-linked vessels, claiming the attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

These attacks  began after the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 but paused briefly during a ceasefire in January.

In early March, Israel renewed its military operations in Gaza and imposed a complete blockade, ending the short-lived truce. In response, the Houthis resumed threats against American and Israeli ships, prompting the US to escalate its air campaign.