Introduction: On April 17, 2025, U.S. airstrikes targeted the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen, controlled by Houthi rebels, marking the deadliest attack in President Donald Trump’s campaign against the group. The strikes, which killed at least 74 people, have intensified the conflict and drawn condemnation for civilian casualties. The Associated Press reported on the operation, which the Pentagon justified as a move to disrupt Houthi funding.
[](https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811)
Details of the Ras Isa Airstrikes
The U.S. military, under the direction of the Pentagon, launched airstrikes on the Ras Isa oil port on April 17, 2025, targeting a key economic asset controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The port, located in Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate along the Red Sea, consists of three large oil tanks and serves as the terminus of a pipeline from the energy-rich Marib governorate. Open-source satellite imagery confirmed an intense blaze at the site, with local footage showing graphic scenes of destruction and casualties.
[](https://indianexpress.com/article/world/satellite-images-heavy-damage-houthi-yemen-port-us-airstrikes-9951834/)Initial Houthi reports claimed 38 deaths and 102 injuries, but the toll was later updated to at least 74 killed and 171 wounded, including civilians, paramedics, and rescue workers. Some sources allege a “double-tap” strike, where a second wave hit after emergency crews arrived, though this remains unverified.
[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/18/more-than-30-killed-80-injured-in-us-air-strikes-on-yemen-report)Pentagon’s Justification and Iran’s Role
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes, stating they aimed to “eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue.” The Pentagon accused the Houthis of using the port’s fuel imports to fund military operations and maintain control over Yemen. CENTCOM’s statement emphasized that the operation was not intended to harm Yemen’s people but to weaken the Houthis’ economic power.
[](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3384258/us-airstrikes-houthi-controlled-oil-port-yemen/)⚠️ BREAKING:
— Hala Jaber (@HalaJaber) April 17, 2025
17 civilians killed, dozens injured in the U.S. strike on the Ras Isa oil port in Hodeidah.
This is the “defensive” operation the world keeps justifying.#Yemen #اليمن pic.twitter.com/6NC0kJWgZM
The strikes come amid heightened U.S. pressure on Iran, with the White House warning of potential military action if Tehran does not negotiate a new nuclear deal. CENTCOM explicitly linked the Houthis to their “Iranian masters,” accusing them of illicit fuel smuggling to support terrorism. Iran condemned the strikes as “barbaric,” while Hamas, another Iran-aligned group, called them “blatant aggression.”
[](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/18/scores-killed-in-us-strikes-on-yemen-fuel-port-of-ras-isa-houthi-media-says)Houthi Response and Civilian Impact
The Houthis denounced the airstrikes as a “flagrant violation of Yemen’s sovereignty” and a direct attack on civilians, noting that Ras Isa is a critical civilian facility serving Yemen for decades. The Houthi-run SABA news agency reported widespread protests in Sanaa, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning U.S. and Israeli actions. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree vowed retaliatory attacks, claiming the group targeted two U.S. aircraft carriers and an Israeli military site.
[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/18/more-than-30-killed-80-injured-in-us-air-strikes-on-yemen-report)The high civilian casualty count has drawn widespread criticism. Posts on X have accused the U.S. of massacring civilians without claiming military targets, though some analysts suggest many victims may have been Houthi-affiliated fighters. The United Nations Development Programme highlighted Ras Isa’s role in handling 70% of Yemen’s imports and 80% of its humanitarian aid, underscoring the strike’s broader impact.
[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/18/more-than-30-killed-80-injured-in-us-air-strikes-on-yemen-report)Context of the Escalation
The U.S. campaign against the Houthis intensified after the collapse of a Gaza truce on March 15, 2025, with near-daily airstrikes targeting Houthi oil refineries, airports, and missile sites. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have attacked Red Sea shipping and Israeli territory since November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians, disrupting a vital maritime route. The Trump administration reinstated the Houthis’ designation as a foreign terrorist organization, sanctioning companies supporting them.
[](https://www.newsweek.com/houthis-trump-iran-yemen-attacks-2061332)⚡️🇺🇸🇾🇪BREAKING:
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) April 18, 2025
Al-Hudaydah Health Office: The death toll from the American attack on the Ras Issa oil port in Hodeidah, Yemen has risen to 58 and 126 wounded, in a preliminary count.
The attack was carried out in two stages. After the first wave of airstrikes, ambulance crews… pic.twitter.com/KG8TpLnNuK
The Ras Isa strike marks a significant escalation, being the first U.S. attack on a major oil facility in Yemen. Analysts suggest it may also signal U.S. intent to pressure Iran amid nuclear talks, though experts doubt the airstrikes will eliminate the Houthi threat.
[](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/18/scores-killed-in-us-strikes-on-yemen-fuel-port-of-ras-isa-houthi-media-says)Conclusion
The U.S. airstrikes on Ras Isa have heightened tensions in Yemen, with significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. While the Pentagon frames the operation as a necessary blow to Houthi terrorism, the civilian toll and destruction of a vital port raise questions about the campaign’s long-term efficacy and humanitarian impact. As the conflict continues, the balance between security and civilian welfare remains a critical issue. For more details, see AP News.
[](https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811)Author: Planet-Today.com