US Airstrikes on Houthi Oil Terminal Result in High Casualties

Recent US airstrikes on a Houthi-controlled oil terminal in Yemen have resulted in at least 74 deaths and 171 injuries, as the Houthis condemn the attack as a war crime, fueling tensions amidst the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.

US air strikes on an oil terminal held by the Houthi movement along Yemen's Red Sea coast have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 74 individuals, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. The strikes have also injured 171 people and destroyed key infrastructure at the Ras Isa facility, which the US military claims was a source of fuel for the Houthi militants backed by Iran.

US Central Command announced the strikes aimed to cripple the Houthis’ financial resources, labeling the group as "terrorists." The Houthi government's response described the attack as a "war crime," asserting that Ras Isa constitutes a civilian site. This incident marks a significant escalation in violence since President Donald Trump renewed US bombing campaigns in reaction to the Houthis' missile assaults on shipping in the Red Sea and Israel.

Hours after the airstrikes, Israeli military forces intercepted a missile reportedly launched from Yemen, creating alarm though no casualties were recorded in Israel. In the aftermath of the assault, videos circulated showing extensive fires and destruction at the terminal, with eyewitness accounts detailing a chaotic scene as workers fled.

The strikes drew immediate protests in the capital, Sanaa, where thousands of Houthi supporters rallied against the US intervention, branding it unjust and harmful. The US military defended its actions, claiming they were essential to reducing the Houthis' capabilities to exploit Yemen's resources amid the ongoing civil conflict.

Humanitarian situations in Yemen have reached dire levels, worsened by persistent fighting over the last decade. As of now, the war has claimed over 150,000 lives and left millions in need of urgent assistance. The Houthis have continued to launch attacks on maritime vessels since last November, broadening the conflict beyond Yemen's borders, and asserting solidarity with Palestine in the context of the Gaza conflict.

The US has faced internal and external criticism for its military policies in Yemen, particularly amidst rising civilian casualties. Despite this, US military leadership emphasizes the necessity of combating the Houthis, who they accuse of threatening regional stability and supporting terrorism.