Tragic Assault on Ras Issa Oil Terminal

In a devastating series of airstrikes, the U.S. military has targeted the Ras Issa oil terminal on Yemen's Red Sea coast, claiming the lives of at least 58 individuals and injuring 126 more, according to Houthi-run media reports. This attack marks one of the deadliest incidents since President Trump escalated the bombing campaign last month in retaliation against Houthi assaults on shipping lanes and Israeli interests linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Claims of War Crimes and Civilian Impact

The Houthi-led government vehemently condemned the U.S. strikes, labeling them as a "full-fledged war crime," arguing that Ras Issa was a civilian facility. Al-Masirah TV reported that the strike included 14 air raids, resulting in massive explosions, raging fires, and the destruction of fuel tankers.

Eyewitness videos showed the aftermath, with charred bodies and individuals suffering from severe burns being rushed to hospitals. Local health authorities indicated that many of the deceased were workers at the terminal, and tragically, five paramedics lost their lives during subsequent strikes while attempting to provide aid.

Escalating Conflict and Global Repercussions

The U.S. military defended the strikes, asserting that their intent was to cripple the Houthis’ economic power and limit their ability to further perpetuate suffering among their own citizens. They emphasized the need to combat illicit fuel smuggling and highlighted the menace posed by the Houthi movement, which they described as a terrorist organization backed by Iran.

Iran responded with strong condemnation, calling the strikes "barbaric" and warning of the potential consequences of U.S. aggression.

Houthi Defiance and Ongoing Attacks

In a resolute speech following the bombing, Abdul Malik al-Houthi claimed that the recent U.S. actions had failed to deter their military efforts. He boasted about around 80 operations conducted since mid-March, including attacks targeting the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman and Israel.

Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis

The strikes come amid a catastrophic civil war in Yemen that has endured for a decade, leading to over 150,000 fatalities and displacing nearly 4.8 million people. With approximately 19.5 million Yemenis in desperate need of aid, the conflict has spiraled into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.”},{