Fresh video footage from Yemen’s Ras Isa port, controlled by the Houthis, reveals large-scale destruction caused by recent US airstrikes.
The attack, which took place last Thursday, wiped out major parts of the fuel terminal, including several oil storage tanks and a large number of tanker trucks, which are crucial for fuel distribution across northwestern Yemen.
According to satellite images and footage circulating on social media, around eight fuel tanks were destroyed along with multiple truck marshalling yards.
Dozens of tanker trucks were incinerated in the strike. One product tanker remained docked at the port’s quay, appearing undamaged, though craters were visible nearby.
The finger piers, however, seemed untouched.
The airstrikes killed about 74 to 80 individuals and wounded between 150 and 171 others, with many of the casualties believed to be truck drivers and workers present at the facility.
Video Credits: NEWS9 /YouTube
Burned-out buses seen in the footage could also have been carrying civilians. Maritime tracking group revealed the high number of personnel in the area at the time of the strike.
The UN and other rights organisations have condemned the attack, discussing the impact on civilian lives and infrastructure.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg expressed deep concern, saying, “Echoing the Secretary-General, I am gravely concerned about the impact of the US airstrikes in and around Ras Isa Port on civilians, particularly truck drivers and port workers, as well as on civilian infrastructure. The cycle of attacks on the Red Sea by Ansar Allah and US airstrikes in response jeopardises peace efforts and risks drawing Yemen further into the regional conflict.”
The US Central Command stated that the target was Ras Isa’s fuel storage facilities, which they claim the Houthis have been using to support military operations, control resources, and generate revenue through illegal profit schemes.
CENTCOM said the objective was to cut off this supply chain. Imagery showed several destroyed fuel tanks, damaged jetties, and wrecked truck parking zones.
Despite the damage on land, ships docked at the port were reported to be unharmed.
Ambrey, a maritime security firm, confirmed that a vessel anchored at Ras Isa reported multiple explosions around 11 pm local time.
The ship’s master said that no vessels were damaged, and port authorities instructed all ships to remain at anchor. Photos taken from a ship during the incident also circulated online.
One video that gained attention was captured from the Galaxy Leader, a Bahamian-flagged vehicle carrier hijacked by the Houthis in a helicopter raid back in 2023.
Despite the scale of destruction, some analysts suggest the fuel tanks were already emptied due to previous Israeli strikes.
Middle East analyst Mohammad Al-Basha claimed that following Israeli airstrikes last June, which targeted the same facility after the Houthis launched an attack on Israel, the Houthis had already cleared their fuel reserves.
He suggested the explosions were caused by the tanker trucks hit in the strike, as these trucks often load fuel directly from the ships.
Al-Basha further stated that CENTCOM may have also targeted Houthi Navy Commander Mansour Ahmed Al-Saadi, also known as Abu Sajad.
Though injured, he is said to have survived the strike and was hospitalised.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously declared that these operations would be “unrelenting” until Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes and international warships stop.
US forces have deployed two aircraft carriers off the Yemeni coast for continuous air operations, supported by cruise missile-equipped warships, land-based fighter jets, and B-2 bombers forward-deployed to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
The Israeli Defense Forces intercepting a missile from Yemen on Friday. The French Navy released footage of the frigate FS Languedoc shooting down Houthi drones with its 76mm Super Rapid gun.
The video showed one drone being destroyed while another narrowly missed the ship.
Additionally, the US government has accused a Chinese satellite firm of assisting Houthi operations, although Beijing has not yet responded to these allegations.
Reference: TWZ
Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction
