US strike on Yemen fuel port kills at least 38, Houthi media say

A fuel tank burns following, what Al Masirah TV said, was a U.S. strike on the Ras Isa fuel port, Yemen, in this screengrab from a handout video released on April 18, 2025. Al-Masirah TV /Handout via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights

| Published April 18, 2025

On April 17, 2025, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel port, resulting in at least 38 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to Houthi-run media outlet Al Masirah TV. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the strike, stating its objective was to degrade the Houthis’ economic resources used to fund their operations.

This action is part of Operation Rough Rider, the largest U.S. military campaign in the Middle East under President Donald Trump’s administration. Initiated in March 2025, the operation targets Houthi infrastructure in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, which the Houthis claim are in protest of the war in Gaza. ​ificant asset for the Houthis, providing fuel that supports their military activities. The destruction of this facility aims to disrupt their operational capabilities. ​

The U.S. has indicated that airstrikes will continue indefinitely until the Houthis cease their attacks on international shipping. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the campaign’s intent to restore freedom of navigation and hold Iran accountable for its support of the Houthis. ​

The escalation has drawn international concern, with Iran condemning the strikes as violations of international law and warning of potential consequences. The situation underscores the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics and the challenges of addressing militant threats while avoiding broader regional conflict.

Here are the pros and cons of the U.S. military airstrikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel port:

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✅ Pros

1. Degrades Houthi Capabilities:
   Targeting a critical fuel infrastructure directly impacts the Houthis’ ability to fund and sustain military operations.

2. Protects International Shipping:
   Aims to restore safe passage through the Red Sea, a major global trade route affected by Houthi attacks.

3. Signals Strength and Deterrence:
   Reinforces the U.S.’s commitment to counter hostile actors and prevent further destabilization in the region.

4. Strategic Economic Disruption:
   Hitting an economic lifeline (fuel revenue) weakens the Houthis without necessarily requiring a ground invasion.

5. Supports Allies in the Region:
   Offers reassurance to Gulf allies and commercial partners concerned about Houthi influence and Iranian proxy activity.

Fire and smoke rise next to charred vehicles following, what Al Masirah TV said, was a U.S. strike on the Ras Isa fuel port, Yemen, in this screengrab from a handout video released on April 18, 2025. Al-Masirah TV /Handout via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights

❌ Cons

1. Civilian Casualties:
   Reports of dozens killed and over 100 injured raise serious humanitarian and ethical concerns.

2. Escalation Risk:
   Could provoke retaliatory attacks from the Houthis or their backers, particularly Iran, risking wider regional conflict.

3. Legal and Diplomatic Repercussions:
   May be seen as a violation of international law, drawing criticism from global watchdogs and the international community.

4. Humanitarian Impact:
   Destroying fuel infrastructure could worsen conditions in war-torn Yemen, limiting access to energy, transport, and medical aid.

5. Potential for Long-Term U.S. Entanglement:
   An open-ended military campaign risks drawing the U.S. into a prolonged and complex conflict with no clear exit strategy.

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Conclusion:

The U.S. airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel port represents a high-stakes move in the ongoing struggle to secure Red Sea trade routes and counter militant threats. While the operation sends a clear message of deterrence and aims to cripple Houthi capabilities, it also raises significant concerns over civilian harm, regional escalation, and legal justification. As Operation Rough Rider continues, the U.S. walks a tightrope—seeking to uphold maritime security and strategic dominance while navigating the complex humanitarian and geopolitical fallout in a volatile region. The long-term success of this approach will depend on whether it can achieve military goals without igniting broader conflict or deepening the crisis in Yemen.

 

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SOURCES: REUTERS – US strike on Yemen fuel port kills at least 38, Houthi media say

DAILY MAIL ONLINE – US strikes on Yemen fuel port kill 38, Huthis say

CNN – Dozens killed in US airstrikes on Yemen port, Houthis say

FRANCE 24 – At least 38 killed in US strikes on Yemen fuel port, Houthis say

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