Red Sea‍ Fuel Port Targeted in Attack; Casualties Reported

An attack on the Ras Isa fuel ​port on the ⁤Red Sea coast aimed to disrupt the Houthi rebels’ fuel supply and financial resources, according to ⁤the U.S. military.

The Houthis reported Friday that the strikes resulted⁣ in 20 fatalities ⁢and 50 injuries.

Initial reports from the Houthis indicated 13 port workers were ‍killed, but the ‌number was later revised to 20, including five⁣ rescuers ‍and ‍paramedics.

Since March 15, the U.S. has conducted near-daily strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, seeking to‍ halt attacks on civilian cargo ships⁢ and warships in⁤ the Red Sea and the Gulf ⁢of ⁣Aden.

The Houthi attacks ​began​ in late 2023, with the group claiming solidarity with Palestinians⁣ in the​ Gaza Strip as the motivation.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that U.S. forces acted to eliminate the fuel source for “Iran-backed⁣ houthi terrorists” and to deprive them of revenue ‌used to “terrorize the entire ⁢region for more than 10 years.”

CENTCOM added,”The aim of these strikes was to degrade ⁤the ‍Economic Source of ⁣Houthi power,which continue to operate and hurt their compatriots.”

The Houthi attacks have led‌ many ships to avoid the Suez Canal,opting⁢ for longer and more expensive routes around the Cape ⁢of Good Hope in southern Africa.

The U.S. military campaign against the Houthis began under the biden ‌administration.