On March 15, US forces launched airstrikes on the Ras Isa oil facility in Yemen’s Hodeida province. The attack killed at least 74 people and injured more than 100, according to the Houthi movement. The strike, which set the facility on fire, is the deadliest since the Trump administration began air operations in Yemen this year. The Houthis claim that many of the victims were civilian workers. They also shared disturbing footage of the explosions.
US Defends the Attack, Ignoring Civilian Casualties
US Central Command said the airstrike targeted the Ras Isa facility to disrupt Houthi fuel supplies and remove illegal revenue sources. The Pentagon, however, refused to comment on civilian deaths. Officials argued that the Houthis had used the facility to fund regional attacks for more than a decade. The port is linked to a pipeline from the Marib oil-producing region, which the Yemeni government controls.
A First for the Houthis
Yemen expert Mohammed al-Basha said this was the first time the Houthis had reported a mass casualty event. Earlier attacks, including one that killed dozens, went unmentioned. The Houthis called the airstrike an “unjustified act of aggression” against Yemen’s sovereignty. They argued that the facility had served civilian needs for decades and was essential to the country’s economy.
Rising Tensions as Global Powers Involve Themselves
The US State Department warned that any entity aiding the Houthis through oil transfers would face sanctions. Later, the Houthis reportedly fired a missile toward Israel, which Israeli forces intercepted. The US also accused Chinese company Chang Guang Satellite Technology of helping the Houthis by providing satellite imagery for Red Sea operations. US officials claimed this support contributed directly to Houthi attacks on US interests.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce criticized China for supporting Chang Guang, despite earlier discussions with American diplomats. Chang Guang had already faced US sanctions in 2023 for supplying imagery to Russia’s Wagner Group.
The Houthis and Hamas: A Growing Alliance
The Houthis, aligned with Hamas, have continued to target ships in the Red Sea, especially those linked to Israel. The Trump administration views its military actions in Yemen as part of a broader strategy to pressure Iran over its nuclear activities. US and Iranian officials are set to meet again in Rome this weekend to continue negotiations.
The US airstrike on Ras Isa has escalated the conflict in Yemen. Tensions between the US, the Houthis, and other global powers are rising. Washington insists the strike was necessary to counter Houthi aggression. However, the civilian casualties and broader regional implications continue to spark debate.