Click to see full-size image. (The U.S. Central Command)
At least 38 people were killed and 102 others were wounded late on April 17 when a series of United States strikes hit the oil port of Ras Isa in the western Yemeni province of al-Hodeidah, in one of the deadliest attack since the U.S. began its operation against the Houthis (Ansar Allah).
Some 14 strikes hit the port, mainly killing workers, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV said, adding that another wave of strikes later targeted first responders, causing casualties among them.
Videos aired by Al-Masirah and shared to social networks by activists showed a series of large blasts and fires at Ras Isa, as well as burned out bodies and people suffering from serious burns.
Later, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged the deadly attack, alleging that the Houthis were benefiting from the oil port.
“Today, U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years,” the command said in a statement. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen. This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully.”
The command went on to warn that “the Houthis, their Iranian masters, and those who knowingly aid and abet their terrorist actions should be put on notice that the world will not accept illicit smuggling of fuel and war material to a terrorist organization.”
The attack was the deadliest since CENTCOM resumed strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on March 15 on orders from President Donald Trump, who said at the time that the large-scale operation was launched in response to the group’s renewed attacks on Israel-affiliated shipping in the Red Sea.
The toll from the attack brought the number of people killed in Yemen since the start of the U.S. operation against the Houthis to over 160.
The Houthis hit back quickly. Early on April 18, the Israeli military said that a ballistic missile launched at Israel by the group from Yemen was successfully intercepted by air defenses.
Amid the attack, sirens sounded across central Israel, in the Jerusalem area, and in some West Bank settlements. Videos posted to social networks showed the launch of at least two interceptors. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The U.S. deadly attack mimics several carried out by Israel against Yemen infrastructure last year, thus it is possible that the Israeli military was involved in the planning or target designation.
When the U.S. first embarked on its new operation against the Houthis, Hebrew media reported that Washington asked Israel not to respond to any attacks by the group. So far, the Israeli military has remained committed to this, focusing its resources on Gaza and other fronts.
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