U.S. airstrikes on a fuel port in Yemen killed at least 58 people, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, marking one of the deadliest attacks since the United States began its operations against the Iran-backed militant group.
The U.S. has vowed to continue its large-scale strikes, which began last month, unless the Houthis cease attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. The operation is the largest U.S. military action in the Middle East since President Donald Trump took office in January.
Al Masirah TV reported that 126 people were also wounded in Thursday’s strikes on the western fuel port of Ras Isa, which the U.S. military said targeted a key fuel source for the Houthi group.
In response to Reuters’ inquiry about the Houthis’ casualty figures, U.S. Central Command said it had no additional information beyond its initial announcement of the attacks. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the Houthis’ economic power, who continue to exploit and inflict pain on their fellow countrymen,” U.S. Central Command stated in a post on X.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched numerous drone and missile attacks on vessels passing through the Red Sea, claiming to target ships linked to Israel in protest over the Gaza conflict. Although they temporarily halted attacks during a two-month ceasefire over Gaza, they vowed to resume strikes after Israel renewed its assault last month, though no attacks have been claimed since.
In March, U.S. strikes on Houthi targets reportedly killed more than 50 people, according to Houthi officials.