In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, a U.S. airstrike on April 17 targeted the Ras Isa oil terminal, resulting in at least 74 deaths and more than 170 injuries. The strike, which the U.S. claims was aimed at disrupting the Houthis’ fuel supply network, has drawn widespread condemnation and raised alarms over the humanitarian implications for the war-torn country.

The Ras Isa terminal, located around 55 kilometers north of the key port city of Hodeidah, is one of Yemen’s most critical oil export facilities. It connects the inland Ma'rib oil fields to the Red Sea via the Marib–Ras Isa pipeline. Alongside the nearby ports of Hodeidah and as-Salif, Ras Isa handles approximately 70 percent of Yemen’s imports and 80 percent of its humanitarian aid deliveries.

According to the U.S. Central Command, the strike was designed to degrade the Houthis’ ability to conduct military operations, particularly their attacks on international commercial vessels in the Red Sea. These attacks, the U.S. alleges, have increased in frequency as the Houthis claim to act in support of Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza.

Houthi-controlled media reported that many of those killed or wounded in the airstrike were employees of Yemen’s Safer Oil Company and the Yemen Petroleum Company. Large fires and explosions were reported at the site following the airstrike, hampering rescue operations and raising concerns about environmental damage and long-term disruption to fuel supplies.

International reaction to the strike has been swift and critical. The Houthi leadership labeled the attack a war crime, emphasizing that Ras Isa is a civilian facility vital for economic and humanitarian stability. Iran denounced the strike as barbaric, and Hamas condemned it as blatant aggression. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate halt to military operations in the region, warning of worsening humanitarian conditions and increased instability.

Russia and China also expressed concern over the intensifying conflict, calling for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.

The U.S. has stated that military operations will continue until the Houthis halt their attacks on shipping lanes. In response, the Houthis declared they would retaliate and "meet escalation with escalation," suggesting that the conflict is far from abating.

The strike on Ras Isa marks one of the deadliest incidents since the U.S. resumed direct military engagement in Yemen in early 2025. As the situation deteriorates, the international community remains on edge, urging all parties to prioritize diplomacy and humanitarian considerations in the face of mounting violence.