Air strikes conducted by the United States on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 38 individuals, marking one of the most devastating attacks by U.S. military forces on the country in recent memory, according to Houthi-affiliated media sources. The strikes, which took place on Thursday, also led to injuries for around 102 people, as reported by the Hodeidah Health Office.
The U.S. military justified the air strikes on the grounds of disrupting the fuel supply to Houthi fighters. In a statement, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) emphasized that the strategy aims to diminish the economic power of the Houthis, whom they accuse of exacerbating humanitarian distress among the Yemeni population. The Pentagon has yet to provide direct comments concerning the casualty figures reported by Houthi sources.
This offensive is hailed as one of the most significant military operations in the Middle East since the beginning of the Trump administration in January. Notably, earlier in March, two days of U.S. air attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, demonstrating a marked escalation in military actions.
Ras Isa is crucial to Yemen’s infrastructure, hosting an oil pipeline and port that are deemed “critical and irreplaceable” by the United Nations Development Programme. Approximately 70 percent of Yemen’s imports and a staggering 80 percent of its humanitarian assistance transit through the ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and as-Salif. This highlights the strategic significance of the site not just in terms of energy supply, but also for the sustenance of the Yemeni population during an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The United States has issued warnings to the Houthis regarding their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, indicating that military operations will persist until such assaults cease. Since November 2023, there have been reports of the Houthis launching over 100 attacks on vessels they assert are connected to Israel, a reaction they characterize as a response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The escalating violence underscores the complex dynamics of the region, where geopolitical interests and local conflicts intersect with humanitarian imperatives. As the situation develops, calls for a resolution to the crisis in Yemen remain critical.
#MiddleEastNews #WorldNews