US Air Strikes on Yemeni Oil Terminal Result in High Casualties Amid Escalating Conflict

The US military targeted the Houthi-controlled oil terminal in Yemen, aiming to cut off their fuel supply and revenue. The attacks have drawn strong condemnation from Houthi officials, who classed the strikes as a "war crime," leading to protests in Sanaa as the humanitarian crisis deepens amidst ongoing civil war.

US air strikes launched on a strategic oil terminal along Yemen's Red Sea coast have sparked outrage and devastation, as casualty figures reported by the Houthi-run health ministry indicate that at least 74 people have lost their lives and 171 others have been injured. The US military confirmed that the strikes targeted the Ras Isa facility, asserting that the operation aimed to eliminate fuel supplies for the Iran-backed Houthi movement and disrupt their revenue streams.

The Houthi authorities claim that the terminal is a civilian site and labeled the attacks "a war crime." This assault marks the deadliest incident since the escalation of US air strikes was ordered last month in response to Houthi missile attacks impacting shipping and Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Amidst the unfolding tragedy, the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile reportedly launched from Yemen shortly after the US strikes, yet there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in Israel. The Houthi-led government declared that continued air strikes have detrimental effects on civilian infrastructure, warning of severe consequences from US military actions in the region.

Reports of chaos flooded in following the strikes, with witnesses recalling intense explosions leading to large fires consuming the oil terminal. Videos circulating on social media purportedly depicted a scene of destruction, including charred bodies and smoke emanating from the facility.

Despite these developments, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Houthis, delivered a defiant address, claiming the group continues to orchestrate missile attacks—including 30 directed at the USS Harry S. Truman—and has carried out approximately 80 operations since mid-March.

The humanitarian impact of the ongoing civil war in Yemen has reached catastrophic levels, with over 150,000 casualties and millions of people displaced, alongside escalating violence in the Red Sea that has included attacks on merchant vessels by the Houthis. The group's actions have been framed within their narrative of supporting Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

While US military and government officials justified the strikes as a means to cripple the Houthi’s operational capabilities, protest rallies erupted across Houthi-controlled territories, with accusations directed towards the US administration for exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Previously, the Houthis had been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation under the Trump administration; however, early in Biden's presidency, this designation was lifted. Recent US military strategies seem to signal a shift in approach, with heightened actions being taken against the Houthis corresponding with the vulnerabilities presented by the ongoing conflict.