US Destroys Houthi-Controlled Ras Isa Fuel Port In Yemen; Atleast 58 Killed

The US military has confirmed the destruction of the Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen, which was under the control of the Iran-backed Houthi group.

According to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, at least 58 people were killed and 126 others wounded in the strike, making it one of the deadliest attacks since the U.S. began targeting the militants.

The strike, carried out by US forces, aimed to disrupt the Houthis’ illegal fuel trade and weaken their financial and operational capabilities.

The Ras Isa port, a critical entry point for fuel into Yemen, has been used by the Houthis to smuggle fuel, despite being designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) by the U.S. on April 5, 2025.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the strikes were intended to weaken the Houthis’ economic resources, which it said were being used to exploit and harm the Yemeni population.

Major fires burning at the Ras Isa port on Yemen’s western coast following U.S. airstrikes aimed at destroying the facility pic.twitter.com/GYIPtnc9fK

— ELINT News (@ELINTNews) April 17, 2025

The revenue generated from these unauthorised imports has been used by the Houthis to sustain their military activities, exert control over the local population, and fund terror operations across the region.

CENTCOM said that fuel entering Yemen through Ras Isa should be distributed to benefit the Yemeni people. But the profit from these fuel imports has instead been embezzled by the Houthis.

The statement added that the strike was not aimed at the Yemeni population but at the terrorist infrastructure, enabling continued violence.

Notably, this appears to be the first time the US military has publicly acknowledged destroying a major port facility in Yemen.

In the past, Israeli forces have also targeted Ras Isa and other Houthi-held ports.

Ras Isa Fuel Port post @CENTCOM strikes #Yemen
ميناء راس عيسى عقب القصف الأمريكي #اليمن pic.twitter.com/s2dGEw2aTX

— Basha باشا (@BashaReport) April 17, 2025

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated that the offensive “will be unrelenting” until the Houthis cease attacking commercial ships and foreign naval forces in the Red Sea region.

The campaign involves various US military assets, including two carrier strike groups, warships with cruise missiles, land-based fighter jets, and B-2 stealth bombers stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple attacks targeting international shipping and Israeli interests using ballistic and cruise missiles, kamikaze drones, uncrewed explosive-laden boats, and other weapons.

The group claims its actions are in response to Israeli operations against Palestinians following the October 7 attacks from the Gaza strip.

The US government has also imposed fresh sanctions on the International Bank of Yemen.

Reference: US Centcom

Source: Maritime Shipping News