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At least 80 people were reportedly killed in a series of US airstrikes on a fuel port in Yemen, making it the deadliest incident since Washington began its 15-month-long military campaign against the Huthi rebels.
The strikes targeted the Ras Issa port on Thursday, with US officials stating the goal was to disrupt the rebels’ access to fuel and financial resources.
Television footage from Huthi-controlled media showed intense fires and thick smoke engulfing the night sky. Reports later emerged of additional strikes around Sanaa on Friday.
According to Anees Alasbahi, spokesperson for the Huthi health ministry, rescue teams are still working at the scene, and the death toll could increase.
Al-Masirah TV, which is affiliated with the Huthis, reported that 150 others were wounded in the attack. The group later announced missile launches at Israel and two US aircraft carriers. Israeli authorities confirmed intercepting a missile from Yemen.
Protests erupted across Huthi-held areas with demonstrators chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
In the capital, military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that continued American aggression would trigger further counterattacks.
The timing of the strikes aligns with the US preparing to restart nuclear talks with Iran in Rome. Analysts believe the attacks may serve as a strategic message to Tehran.
US Central Command released a statement confirming the strikes, describing them as an effort to shut down a key revenue source for the Huthis, who have waged a prolonged insurgency across Yemen.
CENTCOM stated the rebels have used these resources to fund regional attacks, including those on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Al-Masirah reported that the fuel port suffered heavy damage that could disrupt oil transport and navigation in the region.
The Huthis began their campaign of attacks in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza in 2023 but had recently observed a ceasefire that has since ended.
The overall death toll from renewed US airstrikes since March now stands at nearly 200. Video footage from the scene showed extensive destruction and survivors recounting the terror of the blasts.
Earlier this year, Israel also launched strikes on targets in Yemen, citing military threats. Iran has condemned the US action as “barbaric,” and Hamas described it as a blatant act of aggression.
As tensions grow, the US campaign appears to be shifting focus toward dismantling the Huthis’ economic infrastructure as well as their military capabilities. The attacks have significantly impacted shipping routes through the Red Sea, which carry around 12 percent of global trade.
In a related development, the US accused a Chinese satellite firm of helping the Huthis by providing them with surveillance imagery, although further details have not been publicly confirmed.
The situation remains tense as international stakeholders monitor the possibility of further escalations.
