US airstrikes on a Yemeni fuel port killed at least 74 people, Houthi rebels said on Friday, marking the deadliest attack of Washington’s ongoing 15-month campaign against the group.
The strikes, targeting the Ras Issa port, aimed to cut off supplies and funds for the Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen.
Houthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi confirmed that rescuers were still searching for victims, indicating that the death toll could rise further. “The death toll … has risen to 74 martyrs and 171 wounded in a non-final count,” he said. AFP was unable to independently verify the figures.
Houthi-run TV showed footage of large blazes lighting up the night sky following the strikes, which were part of an intensified US bombing campaign under President Donald Trump.
Houthi rebels later retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and US aircraft carriers. Israel's military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen.
Protests erupted in Yemeni cities, including a major demonstration in the capital, Sanaa, where crowds chanted, “Death to America! Death to Israel!”
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the US military build-up in the region would only lead to more confrontations.
Thursday's strikes occurred just ahead of US negotiations with Iran in Rome over Tehran’s nuclear program, with experts suggesting the military actions were a signal to Iran.
"The military actions in Yemen are clearly sending a signal to Tehran," said Mohammed Albasha, a US-based consultant.
The US has conducted near-daily airstrikes on Houthi positions, aiming to prevent attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes and to curb the rebels’ activities in the region.
The strikes follow a series of Houthi attacks on maritime routes and Israeli territory, which began in October 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians. A two-month ceasefire recently paused these attacks.
The US Central Command (Centcom) stated the strikes were aimed at eliminating fuel sources that support the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, calling their actions a source of illegal revenue used to fund terror across the region.
In a separate statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce accused Chinese satellite company Chang Guang Satellite Technology of directly supporting Houthi attacks on US interests, although further details were not initially provided.
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