At least 74 people were killed and many others wounded in a US airstrike that targeted an oil port in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels on Friday. The airstrike is part of a military campaign launched by US President Donald Trump against the Houthis last month.
While the Houthi rebels vow to retaliate, saying they will continue their military operations against Israel and the United States.
The Deadly Attack
The overnight strike on Ras Isa port resulted in at least 74 deaths and 171 injuries, the Associated Press reported.
"The attack killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others, aired graphic footage of the aftermath on their al-Masirah satellite news channel, showing corpses strewn about the port and smashed tanker trucks. They denounced the strike as a completely unjustified aggression, the Houthis said, as quoted by AP.
“It targets a vital civilian facility that has served the Yemeni people for decades,” the group said.
“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 terrorise the entire region for over 10 years," the statement added.
What Did The Houthi Rebels Say?
Following the deadly US airstrike on the Ras Isa oil port, Houthi rebels vow to continue fighting back.
Citing a statement by Yemen's Houthi-controlled armed forces, CNN reported that Yemen will not back down from continuing its support for the Palestinian people until the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted.
The militant group asserts that the US “aggression” against Yemen would “only lead to further targeting, engagement, and confrontation”.
The Bigger Picture
Following President Donald Trump's warning to unleash overwhelming force against the Houthis until they stop targeting Red Sea shipping, the US has launched airstrikes in Yemen, hitting oil refineries, airports, and missile sites.
In a recent statement, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said the campaign is working and many Houthi leaders have been killed, according to CNN.
In a show of solidarity with Palestinians, the Houthis have launched missile attacks against Israel and disrupted Red Sea shipping in response to Israel's Gaza war since October 7, 2023.
