US targets fuel port ‘Houthi-controlled’ in Yemen
The United States has conducted airstrikes on the Ras Isa fuel port in a region controlled by the Houthis in Yemen. This operation aligns with President Donald Trump’s objective to deter the rebel group from assaulting tankers and other merchant...
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The United States has conducted airstrikes on the Ras Isa fuel port in a region controlled by the Houthis in Yemen. This operation aligns with President Donald Trump’s objective to deter the rebel group from assaulting tankers and other merchant vessels navigating through the Suez Canal and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
“The Iran-backed Houthis use fuel to sustain their military operations, as a weapon of control, and to benefit economically from embezzling the profits from the import,” stated the US Central Command on Thursday. The command noted that ships continued to deliver fuel through the port even after the militant group was designated as terrorists on April 5.
“Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts,” CENTCOM emphasized. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis.”
Houthi officials reported that 38 civilians had lost their lives, including five paramedics, with 102 others injured, most of whom were said to be port workers.
“We affirm Yemen’s legal right to defend itself, and this crime will not go unpunished,” the Houthi authorities declared, as reported by Al-Masirah TV.
Shortly after the airstrikes, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they had intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Friday morning.
The Houthis maintain control over the western region of Yemen, which includes the capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hodeidah. Since the beginning of 2023, they have been targeting commercial ships with kamikaze drones and missiles in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Additionally, the Houthis have launched ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, stating they would halt such attacks if Israel ceased its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Last month, Trump directed the Pentagon to intensify strikes in Yemen, warning that the Houthis would face “complete annihilation” if they persist in their assaults on shipping. The group, however, has vowed to remain defiant against this pressure. They have recently claimed responsibility for attacks on US warships operating in the Red Sea and asserted that they shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone on April 1.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
“The Iran-backed Houthis use fuel to sustain their military operations, as a weapon of control, and to benefit economically from embezzling the profits from the import,” stated the US Central Command on Thursday. The command noted that ships continued to deliver fuel through the port even after the militant group was designated as terrorists on April 5.
“Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts,” CENTCOM emphasized. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis.”
Houthi officials reported that 38 civilians had lost their lives, including five paramedics, with 102 others injured, most of whom were said to be port workers.
“We affirm Yemen’s legal right to defend itself, and this crime will not go unpunished,” the Houthi authorities declared, as reported by Al-Masirah TV.
Shortly after the airstrikes, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they had intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Friday morning.
The Houthis maintain control over the western region of Yemen, which includes the capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hodeidah. Since the beginning of 2023, they have been targeting commercial ships with kamikaze drones and missiles in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Additionally, the Houthis have launched ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, stating they would halt such attacks if Israel ceased its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Last month, Trump directed the Pentagon to intensify strikes in Yemen, warning that the Houthis would face “complete annihilation” if they persist in their assaults on shipping. The group, however, has vowed to remain defiant against this pressure. They have recently claimed responsibility for attacks on US warships operating in the Red Sea and asserted that they shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone on April 1.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
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