US military destroys Houthi fuel port in Yemen
Illustrative photo: US forces attacked Houthi fuel port (x.com/CENTCOM)
The armed forces of the United States of America have attacked the Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen, which is controlled by the Houthis. The goal of the operation was to cut off a fuel source for the Iran-backed militants, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
The US Department of Defense stated that the Houthi militants “have continued to benefit economically and militarily from countries and companies that provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. ”
“The Iran-backed Houthis use fuel to sustain their military operations, as a weapon of control, and to benefit economically from embezzling the profits from the import. ” CENTCOM reported.
The American side also noted that the fuel has to be “legitimately supplied to the people of Yemen.”
“Despite the Foreign Terrorist Designation that went into effect on 05 April, ships have continued to supply fuel via the port of Ras Isa. Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts,” the US military said in its statement.
CENTCOM explained that on April 17, US 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 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,” the command explained.
Additionally, the US side emphasized that the strike “was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully.”
Meanwhile, a representative of the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Health in Yemen claimed that at least 17 people were killed and dozens of port workers were injured in the attack, according to Reuters.
Footage of the aftermath of the US military strikes has already appeared online, showing burning fuel infrastructure used by the Yemeni Houthis at the Ras Isa port
Ras Isa fuel port — the main fuel port of the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen — is burning after targeted strikes
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) April 17, 2025
FAFO.
pic.twitter.com/RzoiXVnJaO
NEW: The U.S. military destroyed fuel infrastructure used by Yemen's Houthi at Ras Isa port. pic.twitter.com/llI9uGkIXw
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2025
US operation against Yemeni Houthis
Last month, the United States resumed large-scale strikes on targets belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen.
Washington maintains that such military operations will not cease until the Houthis stop attacking ships in the Red Sea.
On March 16, the Houthis fired at the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea.
On April 17, reports emerged that the US military had launched massive strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
