US airstrikes kill dozens in Yemen amid escalating Houthi conflict

[MIDDLE EAST] U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels have left 33 dead and 80 injured, according to Houthi-run media reports released early Friday. If confirmed, the toll would mark one of the deadliest days in a U.S.-led military campaign that has carried out hundreds of strikes since March 15 under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The intensifying conflict unfolds amid surging regional tensions, as the Houthis increasingly portray their maritime operations as part of a broader resistance movement against U.S. and Israeli interests. Analysts note that the group’s persistence, despite significant battlefield losses, points to its entrenched networks and sustained support from Iran, enabling it to survive years of military pressure.

According to the U.S. Central Command, the latest strikes targeted the Ras Isa oil port in an effort to cut off “illicit revenue streams that have fueled Houthi terror across the region for over a decade.”

“This strike was not aimed at harming the Yemeni people, who deserve to live peacefully and free from Houthi domination,” CENTCOM stated, while offering no comment on reported casualties.

Ras Isa has long been a strategic flashpoint in the conflict, serving as a vital export hub for Houthi-controlled oil. United Nations reports have previously accused the rebels of siphoning off fuel revenues to bankroll their war operations. Aid organizations warn that any disruption to the port risks worsening Yemen’s already severe fuel shortages, with serious consequences for public services and humanitarian aid.

The Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite channel broadcast graphic images showing charred bodies and extensive destruction at the site. The network claimed that civilian workers and paramedics were among those killed, and that the strike triggered massive explosions and fires across the area.

The airstrikes followed an April 9 warning from the U.S. State Department against supporting oil shipments to Houthi-controlled areas. “The United States will not tolerate any country or commercial entity assisting foreign terrorist organizations like the Houthis, including by offloading ships or providing oil at ports under their control,” the department stated.

That warning appeared directed at regional players such as Oman and Djibouti, discouraging any facilitation of fuel deliveries. Washington has long accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with weapons and fuel through maritime routes—allegations Tehran continues to deny. The latest wave of strikes underscores Washington’s growing resolve to dismantle what it considers an illicit support network sustaining the Houthis’ military capabilities.

An Associated Press analysis suggests that the scale of the current U.S. campaign under Trump significantly surpasses that of his predecessor, President Joe Biden. While earlier operations focused on neutralizing launch sites, recent strikes have expanded to include high-ranking Houthi figures and urban targets.

This renewed campaign began after the Houthis threatened to resume attacks on what they called “Israeli” ships, in protest over Israel’s continued blockade of aid into Gaza. The rebels’ vague definition of Israeli-linked vessels has raised alarms, as it potentially endangers a wide range of international shipping.

The Houthis’ narrative of resistance has found sympathy among various groups across the Middle East, with the movement positioning itself as part of a broader “Axis of Resistance” against Western and Israeli influence. However, regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, have voiced growing concern over the group’s destabilizing effect on Red Sea trade. The attacks have forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels, incurring substantial financial losses.

Between November 2023 and January this year, the Houthis have targeted over 100 commercial vessels using missiles and drones—sinking two and killing four sailors. They also launched unsuccessful strikes against U.S. naval ships operating in the region.

With tensions continuing to mount, U.S. officials have linked the airstrikes not only to counterterrorism efforts but also to broader objectives—chiefly increasing pressure on Iran over its accelerating nuclear ambitions. There are no signs the campaign will slow down.