The Guardian - 4/18/2025 2:20:10 PM - GMT (+3 )
Al-Masirah TV reports at least 58 dead in attack Washington says was intended to cut off source of fuel to militants
US strikes on a fuel port in Yemen have killed at least 58 people, according to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, in what would be one of the deadliest since Washington began its attacks on the Iran-backed militants.
The US has vowed not to halt the large-scale strikes begun last month in its biggest military operation in the Middle East since Donald Trump took office in January unless the Houthis cease attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Al-Masirah TV also said 126 people had been wounded in Thursday’s strikes on the western port of Ras Isa, which the US military said was intended to cut off a source of fuel for the Houthi militant group.
Asked for comment on the Houthis’ casualty figure and its own estimate, US Central Command said it had none beyond the initial announcement of the attacks.
“The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen,” it had said in a social media post.
The Houthis have launched dozens of drone and missile attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, saying it was targeting ships linked to Israel in protest over the war in Gaza.
The group halted attacks on shipping lanes during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza. Although they vowed to resume strikes after Israel renewed its assault on Gaza last month, they have not claimed any since.
Two days of US attacks in March killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.
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