US Airstrikes Kill 74, Devastate Houthi Oil Port in Yemen

Recent U.S. airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil port in Yemen resulted in extensive destruction of oil storage tanks, fuel trucks, and port infrastructure, but ships at the port were reportedly unharmed. Satellite and ground imagery confirm heavy damage, with oil leaking into the Red Sea. The Houthis claim at least 74 people were killed and more than 170 injured, marking this as the deadliest strike since President Donald Trump escalated military operations against the Iranian-backed group. U.S. Central Command stated the attack aimed to cut off a critical fuel source that funds Houthi operations and generates illegal revenue, while emphasizing it was not intended to harm Yemeni civilians. The Houthis and their Iranian allies condemned the strike as unjustified and a violation of international norms, warning of further regional escalation. The port, though not currently exporting oil due to the ongoing conflict, remains vital for supplying fuel to Houthi-controlled areas, raising concerns about humanitarian impacts.