US military strikes on a Yemeni fuel port have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 80 lives, according to reports from Houthi rebels. This incident marks the deadliest engagement in Washington’s ongoing 15-month campaign against the Iran-backed group.
The targeted strikes on Ras Issa were intended to disrupt the supply chain and financial resources that sustain the Houthis, who control significant portions of Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arabian Peninsula. As the US military stated, these actions are part of a broader strategic effort.
Recent footage aired by a Houthi-operated television network illuminated the night sky with raging fires, serving as a stark reminder of the escalating violence during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Rescuers, as reported by Houthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi, continue to search for victims at the fuel terminal on the Red Sea, indicating that the death toll may unfortunately rise.
In a concerning development, the Houthis announced missile attacks aimed at Israel and two US aircraft carriers. Israel’s military confirmed the interception of a missile launched from Yemen, heightening tensions in the region.
Amid the violence, demonstrators chanting “Death to America! Death to Israel!” gathered in various rebel-held cities, with a significant rally taking place in the capital, Sanaa. As Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree expressed to the crowd, “The American military buildup and continued aggression against our country will only lead to more counterattacks and conflicts.”
A Signal to Tehran
This military action coincides with the United States preparing to renew negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program in Rome on Saturday, amidst concerns that Tehran is advancing toward nuclear weapons capabilities. “The military actions in Yemen are clearly sending a signal to Tehran,” commented Mohammed Albasha, a US-based consultant, to AFP.
The intensity of US military operations against the Houthis has increased in recent months, with near-daily air strikes aimed at curbing their assaults on shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have initiated missile attacks targeting Israel and asserted their solidarity with Palestinians.
After a two-month ceasefire, these hostilities have resumed. US Central Command (CENTCOM) remarked, “US forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue.”
Reports from Al-Masirah TV indicated that the strikes had caused “significant damage,” potentially impacting navigation and oil supply chains—a consequence that reverberates through global trade.
Since initiating these operations in January 2024, President Trump’s administration has markedly intensified the drone and air strike efforts, with a previous offensive resulting in 53 fatalities on 15 March.
Footage shared by Al-Masirah showed dramatic fireballs erupting offshore, accompanied by thick smoke plumes from the ongoing conflagration. Survivors, captured on the network’s broadcasts, recounted their harrowing experiences. “We ran away. The strikes came one after the other, then everything was on fire,” shared a man employed at the port.
Shipping Routes Under Threat
The conflict has also had consequences for global shipping; Houthi threats to target the Red Sea shipping lane—responsible for approximately 12 percent of global trade—have forced companies to reroute, incurring substantial costs. This development follows Israeli air strikes on Yemeni targets, which they described as military infrastructures.
Iran condemned the latest US strikes as “barbaric,” while Hamas denounced them as “blatant aggression.” The US bombing campaign escalated last month in response to Houthi vows to resume maritime attacks, prompted by Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza.
As US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce highlighted, there are troubling allegations of external involvement: “A Chinese company has been providing satellite imagery to the Houthis,” she remarked, linking international actors to the crisis.
As the situation develops, it is clear that the ramifications of these military actions extend far beyond the immediate conflict, influencing both regional stability and global trade.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international – Monitoring.
