At least 38 people were killed and more than 100 others injured in Yemen after a US airstrike targeted the Ras Isa oil terminal on Thursday, according to Houthi-run media reports.
The attack struck workers at the fuel port, with 102 people wounded and rushed to local hospitals for urgent medical care.
In a statement on social media, a spokesperson for the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Health confirmed the death toll, calling the incident a “clear act of aggression” against Yemeni civilians.
US Confirms Strikes Targeted Houthi Economic Resources
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) later confirmed the strikes, stating the mission’s objective was to weaken the Houthis’ financial and operational power.
“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,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Ongoing Tensions in Red Sea Amid Houthi-Israel Conflict
The Houthis, who control large portions of Yemen, have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, claiming their actions are in retaliation for Israeli military operations in Gaza.
A temporary ceasefire paused the maritime attacks for two months, but the Houthis vowed to resume operations following the renewal of Israeli strikes on Gaza last month.
This is not the first deadly exchange; in March 2024, Houthi officials reported over 50 fatalities in previous US strikes on Yemen.
