U.S. Strike on Yemen Oil Port Kills 74 in Deadliest Attack Yet/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration’s campaign in Yemen reached a deadly new phase, with 74 reported killed in a U.S. airstrike on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil port. The strike, part of Washington’s effort to dismantle rebel operations, marks the deadliest known attack so far. The Houthis say the port served civilians, while U.S. officials called it a fuel hub funding terrorism.
Yemen Strikes – Quick Look
- 74 killed, 171 wounded in strike on Ras Isa oil port, Houthis say
- Trump’s campaign escalates to targeting oil infrastructure for first time
- U.S. Central Command says goal was to disrupt Houthi funding, not harm civilians
- Satellite images show destruction, oil leaking into the Red Sea
- China accused of aiding Houthis through satellite imagery firm
- Houthi missile launched at Israel shortly after strikes; intercepted
- Negotiations with Iran continue amid growing regional instability
- UN warns of rising civilian toll as conflict escalates
U.S. Airstrikes Kill 74 in Yemen Oil Port Attack, Houthis Say
Deep Looks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – A U.S. airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port killed 74 people and injured 171 more, Houthi rebel authorities said Friday, in what marks the deadliest single attack yet in President Donald Trump’s intensified military campaign targeting the Iranian-backed group.
The strike, which ignited massive fireballs and sent smoke billowing into the Red Sea sky, marks a significant escalation in the U.S. operation, becoming the first to directly target oil infrastructure in the nearly month-long bombing campaign.
“U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists,” said U.S. Central Command in a statement, adding that the port’s fuel sales helped fund “over a decade” of regional instability.
“This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen.”
CENTCOM has not confirmed any casualty figures from the attack.
What Is Ras Isa?
The Ras Isa port, located in Yemen’s Hodeida province, is a key hub for importing gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas into Houthi-controlled areas. Though Yemen’s oil exports have largely ceased during the war, the port still serves as a major fuel lifeline for civilians and fighters alike.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC reviewed by the AP on Friday showed extensive damage to storage tanks, vehicles, and oil pipelines at the site. Visible oil slicks in the Red Sea raise environmental concerns, especially as the port lies near the ecologically sensitive Kamaran Island.
Houthis Denounce the Strike
Houthi media broadcast graphic images of the aftermath — bodies in debris, blackened fuel tankers, and shattered infrastructure. The rebels condemned the U.S. action as:
“A completely unjustified aggression targeting a vital civilian facility that has served the Yemeni people for decades.”
The strike comes just days after the U.S. State Department warned foreign shippers and governments against delivering oil to Houthi-controlled Yemen, vowing to target any entity supporting what Washington calls a terrorist organization.
Houthi Missile Launched at Israel Post-Strikes
Shortly after the Ras Isa strike, the Houthis launched a missile toward Israel, which the Israeli military said was intercepted before impact. Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and central Israel, though no casualties were reported.
The Houthis have previously launched missiles and drones at Israeli territory and Red Sea commercial vessels, prompting both U.S. and Israeli retaliation. The group claims these attacks are a response to Israel’s war in Gaza.
U.S. Accuses Chinese Satellite Firm of Assisting Houthis
In a major diplomatic development, U.S. officials accused a Chinese commercial satellite company, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd., of providing imagery to help the Houthis target American naval and merchant vessels.
“They are directly supporting Iran-backed Houthi terrorist attacks on U.S. interests,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
China’s Foreign Ministry denied specific knowledge of the allegation but insisted it supports de-escalation in the region. The company, already sanctioned by the U.S. for aiding Russia’s Wagner Group, did not respond to requests for comment.
Death Toll Rising in Trump’s Yemen Campaign
Since the start of the Trump administration’s renewed air campaign on March 15, precise fatality figures have been elusive due to tight media controls in Yemen and lack of U.S. transparency.
However, the Ras Isa strike marks the largest known single-attack death toll to date. Earlier this month, Trump posted black-and-white drone footage of a strike that reportedly killed up to 70 fighters, though the Houthis have not acknowledged those casualties.
“This is the first time the Houthis have openly acknowledged such a high death toll,” said Yemen analyst Mohammed al-Basha.
Background: U.S. Campaign Against Houthis
- The Trump administration’s strikes began in response to repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea corridor, one of the world’s most important commercial routes.
- Since November 2023, Houthis have hit over 100 merchant vessels, killing four sailors and sinking two ships.
- Their stated goal: to disrupt Israeli-linked shipping amid the Gaza conflict.
Under President Joe Biden, U.S. responses were limited and intermittent. Trump’s current campaign marks a more aggressive and sustained effort, raising fears of broader regional war.
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