Houthis raise death toll in Yemen oil port attack to 80; fresh US strikes reported

A 600-word article on the most recent events in Yemen follows: ---

Houthis Increase Yemen Oil Port Attack Death toll to 80; New US Strikes Increase Tensions The humanitarian crisis in Yemen deepened this week after a devastating U.S. airstrike on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil terminal reportedly killed at least 80 people and injured over 150 others. One of the deadliest U.S. operations in Yemen since the intensification of the conflict between the United States and the Iran-backed Houthi movement was the April 17, 2025 attack. The oil storage facilities at the Ras Isa port, a major fuel hub on the Red Sea coast with the capacity to store nearly 3 million barrels of oil, were the target of the strikes, according to Houthi-run media. The Houthis condemned the attack, calling it a massacre of innocent civilians and port workers, and vowed retaliation.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed it had conducted precision strikes in the area but stated the operation was aimed at crippling the Houthis’ fuel infrastructure, which has been a critical source of income and military logistics for the group. The Pentagon argued that because the Houthis were increasing their attacks on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea, there was no other option but to increase military pressure. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone strikes in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since late 2023. These attacks, often targeting vessels they allege are linked to Israel or its allies, have been described as part of their response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. These Houthi attacks have been branded acts of piracy and threats to global maritime trade by Western nations, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. In response to the latest airstrikes, the Houthis announced they had launched a missile targeting Israeli territory. Israel confirmed that its missile defense systems successfully intercepted the projectile. In addition, the Houthis asserted that they had shot down an American drone operating in Yemeni airspace, though this has not been independently verified. The United States' strikes have had a rapid global impact. Iran, a key backer of the Houthis, condemned the attacks as “barbaric aggression,” while Hamas also issued a statement denouncing the violence. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over the rising civilian death toll and the risk of further instability in an already war-torn region.

This latest escalation has sparked fresh debate in Washington, where President Donald Trump’s administration has come under scrutiny for its handling of the Yemen conflict. Critics argue that the military campaign lacks clear objectives and that intelligence failures are leading to high civilian casualties. Additionally, concerns have been expressed regarding the operation's long-term effectiveness and transparency. Military analysts warn that airstrikes alone may not be sufficient to defeat the Houthi insurgency, which has entrenched itself in northern and western Yemen over the past decade. There is growing speculation that the U.S. might support a coalition-led ground offensive to retake key strategic sites, including the port city of Hodeidah. However, such an operation would necessitate close cooperation with regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have demonstrated a reluctance to escalate without assurances of support and protection against Houthi attacks that would be retaliatory. Millions of people have already been forced to flee Yemen as a result of years of civil war, famine, and disease. Aid organizations warn that further disruptions to fuel and supply lines could worsen the humanitarian crisis. Calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to bring all parties to the negotiating table are growing as the conflict escalates. However, the prospects for peace remain bleak given that neither side has stopped using military force. ---