"Deadliest US Strike Yet Hits Yemen’s Ras Isa Port, Killing 80 and Sparking Houthi Retaliation"

At least 80 people were killed in a US airstrike on a fuel terminal in Yemen, according to Houthi rebels on Friday. This marks the deadliest attack in the United States’ 15-month-long campaign against the Iran-backed group.

The airstrikes, which targeted the Ras Isa fuel port on Thursday, aimed to disrupt supply lines and financial resources of the Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen — one of the poorest countries on the Arabian Peninsula, the US military stated.

Footage aired on Houthi-run television showed massive fires lighting up the night sky. The strikes are part of an intensified assault under US President Donald Trump. Houthi media later reported additional strikes in and around the capital, Sanaa, on Friday night.

According to Houthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi, rescue efforts were still underway at the Red Sea terminal, and the death toll could rise. Al-Masirah TV, controlled by the rebels, reported that at least 150 people were also injured.

In response to the attack, the Houthis launched missiles at Israel and two US aircraft carriers, according to their media. Israel's military confirmed intercepting a missile launched from Yemen. Protesters chanting “Death to America! Death to Israel!” gathered in Houthi-controlled cities, including a large demonstration in Sanaa.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the US military actions would lead to more retaliation, saying, “The continued aggression against our country will only result in more attacks and clashes.”

A Message to Iran?

The strikes came just days before US-Iran nuclear talks were set to resume in Rome. Analysts suggest the attacks may also serve as a warning to Tehran. "The military actions in Yemen are clearly sending a signal to Tehran," said US-based consultant Mohammed Albasha.

The US has launched near-daily airstrikes on the Houthis over the past month, seeking to halt their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. By Friday morning, before the death toll climbed to 80, the number of casualties from recent US strikes had already reached 198, according to Houthi sources.

The Houthis began their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes and Israeli targets after the October 7, 2023, outbreak of war in Gaza, where their ally Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel. Attacks had paused during a recent two-month ceasefire and hostage deal.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strike on Ras Isa aimed to "eliminate a fuel source for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and cut off illegal revenue used to fund terror operations across the region."

Al-Masirah TV claimed the attack caused significant damage to the port, potentially affecting oil supply and maritime navigation.

US airstrikes began in January 2024, escalating sharply under President Trump. A major offensive on March 15 alone killed 53 people. On Friday, Al-Masirah aired footage showing a large fireball over the coast and thick smoke rising from the burning fuel site. Interviews with survivors included a worker who said, “We ran. The strikes kept coming. Then everything caught fire.”

Red Sea Shipping Under Threat

Earlier this year, Israel also conducted strikes on Ras Isa, calling the targets military installations. Similar attacks took place in September. Iran condemned the US strikes as “barbaric,” while Hamas labeled them “blatant aggression.”

The US bombing campaign intensified last month after Houthi threats to resume attacks on international shipping, protesting Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza. “The message is clear,” said Albasha. “The US is targeting not just Houthi fighters but also their financial lifelines.”

Houthi disruptions to the Red Sea shipping route — which handles about 12% of global trade — have forced many companies to reroute via southern Africa, increasing costs and delays.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce accused China’s Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company of directly aiding Houthi attacks by providing satellite imagery. Though initially vague, Bruce later confirmed the company was giving the Houthis visual data on US interests.