SANAA, Yemen – The recent US air strikes on a key oil terminal on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have resulted in tragic consequences, with at least 74 people reported dead and 171 others wounded by the Houthi-run health ministry in the region. The US military stated that the attack was carried out to restrict supplies and funds for the Iran-backed Houthi movement, emphasizing the need to eliminate the source of fuel for the group to prevent further escalation of conflicts in the region.
The Houthi-led government in north-west Yemen has condemned the strikes on the oil terminal, characterizing them as a “war crime” and challenging the US administration for targeting a civilian facility rather than a military installation. As tensions continue to rise in the region, the incident marks one of the deadliest known attacks since President Donald Trump ordered an intensification of the US bombing campaign in response to previous Houthi assaults on Red Sea shipping and Israel linked to the Gaza conflict.
Following the strikes on Ras Isa, the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen, triggering concerns of further retaliatory actions. The Houthi-run health ministry indicated that rescue teams were still searching for casualties in the aftermath of the bombings, with reports of several paramedics being killed in secondary US strikes at the scene.
In response to the escalating violence, thousands of Houthi supporters gathered in the capital Sanaa to protest the US strikes, highlighting the growing discontent and opposition to foreign military interventions in Yemen. The US military Central Command defended the strikes, emphasizing the need to degrade the economic power of the Houthis who continue to pose a threat to stability in the region with their illicit activities.
The conflict in Yemen, which has been ongoing for a decade, has witnessed a devastating impact on the civilian population, resulting in widespread displacement, casualties, and a humanitarian crisis. As both the US and Iran trade accusations and condemnations over the recent attacks, the situation in Yemen remains precarious, with the prospect of further violence looming over the war-torn nation.
Despite international efforts to mitigate the conflict and provide aid to those affected, the lack of a sustainable ceasefire and political solution continues to fuel the cycle of violence in Yemen, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the ongoing hostilities. As the world watches the situation unfold in Yemen, the need for diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and a commitment to peace remains paramount in resolving one of the most protracted conflicts in recent history.