US Air Strikes Target Huthi-Controlled Fuel Port in Yemen, Sparking Controversy

The U.S. military has conducted air strikes targeting a strategic fuel port in Yemen, which is held by the Huthi rebels. The operation was aimed at eliminating a vital source of fuel for the Iran-backed group, as confirmed by the U.S. Central Command (Centcom). According to reports from the Huthis, the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and left over 50 wounded, with the potential for the death toll to rise as more casualties are identified.

Centcom stated that the objective of the air strikes was to degrade the Huthis' economic resources, asserting that the rebels are continuing to exploit their fellow Yemenis and inflict great suffering. The statement emphasized that the air strikes were not meant to harm the Yemeni population, who are seeking liberation from what the U.S. views as Huthi oppression. This military action aligns with President Donald Trump's initiative launched on March 15 to deter Huthi attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The Huthi rebels have condemned the strikes as unjustified aggression, claiming it constitutes a blatant violation of Yemen's sovereignty and directly targets the Yemeni people. The rebel group, in a statement from its SABA news agency, asserted that the attack strikes at a key civilian facility which has been serving the Yemeni populace for decades. The spokesperson for Yemen's Health Ministry, Anees Alasbahi, reported that of the fatalities, five were paramedics responding to the incident, highlighting the conflict's toll on humanitarian workers.

Reports indicate that the Ras Isa oil port has remained functional amidst U.S. sanctions designating the Huthis as a foreign terrorist organization, with fuel supplies continuing to flow via the port. This ongoing conflict has significant implications for global shipping, especially through the Suez Canal, as Huthi attacks have prompted shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa's southern tip, causing delays and increased operational costs.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce also raised concerns about China's involvement in supporting the Huthis through Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company, labeling Beijing's support as contradictory to its claims of advocating for peace in the region.

The dynamics in Yemen continue to evolve as international stakeholders engage in this complex conflict, with impacts felt far beyond the country's borders, raising questions about sovereignty and the humanitarian situation on the ground.

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