2025-04-18T08:13:13.000Z

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In a devastating airstrike on a fuel port in Yemen, the US military claimed responsibility for an attack that reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 38 individuals, according to the Houthi rebels who control the area. This strike, conducted on April 18, was part of a renewed campaign by Washington against the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has increasingly become a focal point of US foreign policy in the region.

In addition to the fatalities, the attack reportedly left over 100 people injured, as reported by Al-Masirah, the Houthi-run television station. The station broadcast harrowing footage of large flames erupting against the night sky, highlighting the severe consequences of the military action. The strikes targeted the Ras Issa fuel port, a significant hub that has been critical for the Houthis, not only for sustaining their military efforts but also for their economic survival.

According to local health authorities in the port city of Hodeida, the preliminary toll of casualties has raised serious concerns about the humanitarian impact of the US operations. Despite the alarming numbers reported by the Houthis, independent verification of these figures remains challenging, as the conflict in Yemen continues to create a fog of war that complicates accurate reporting.

Since mid-March, the US military has ramped up its campaign against the Houthis, conducting near-daily airstrikes. The strategic aim behind these operations is to dismantle the rebels' capacity to launch attacks on maritime routes in the critically important Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This recent escalation of hostilities was partly triggered by the Houthis' declaration of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, which led them to target key shipping lanes and Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict that began in October 2023. Notably, after a two-month ceasefire, the Houthis resumed these aggressive tactics.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement underscoring the purpose of the airstrikes, indicating that the goal was to eliminate a vital source of fuel for the Houthi militants. The command described the Houthis as Iran-backed terrorists and emphasized that these actions intend to deprive them of the financial resources that have facilitated their operations throughout the region for over a decade. The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen, stated CENTCOM.

Despite the US designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year, the port of Ras Issa has seen consistent fuel supply operations, raising questions about the sources of the fuel being delivered. CENTCOM did not specify the origins of the fuel, complicating the narrative surrounding the strikes and the ongoing conflict.

Eyewitness accounts from those affected by the attack paint a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued. Images from Al-Masirah displayed a dramatic fireball illuminating the coast, with thick smoke billowing into the air. Survivors interviewed by the network described the frantic moments during the strikes, with one individual, visibly injured and lying on a stretcher, recounting, We ran away. The strikes came one after the other, then everything was on fire.

This intensification of military actions against the Houthis is not new; the campaign initiated under former President Joe Biden has escalated under President Donald Trump. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the ramifications of these strikes continue to unfold, raising pressing questions about the complex interplay of international politics, humanitarian issues, and the ever-growing crisis in Yemen.