Screengrab courtesy of footage circulated on Houthi channels - social media
"The death toll... has risen to 74 martyrs and 171 wounded in a non-final count," Houthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi said, who confirmed the attack was carried out in two stages.
After the first wave of strikes, ambulance crews and civil defence teams arrived at the scene — only for the port to be bombed again once they had reached it, the official said, adding that rescue teams were still searching for victims.
The strikes targeted the Ras Issa oil port, one of the few economic lifelines in western Yemen. Al-Masirah TV broadcast images of large fireballs and thick smoke, along with interviews with wounded survivors, AFP reported.
One man, his arms visibly burned, said: "We ran away. The strikes came one after the other, then everything was on fire."
The US military said the overnight attack was intended to disrupt the Houthis' access to funding and supplies, part of a months-long campaign of near-daily strikes launched under the pretext of protecting international shipping.
Since mid-March, Washington has intensified its bombing campaign in Yemen, claiming it is targeting military infrastructure used by the Houthis to threaten Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes.
Yet it remains unclear what specific threat the Ras Issa facility posed. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged that ships had continued to supply fuel via the port despite Washington's recent designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation. It did not identify the vessels involved or provide evidence linking the port's activity to the Houthi attacks on shipping.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the strike aimed to "degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis." No explanation was offered for the timing or the civilian casualties.
The Houthis began targeting maritime routes in October, shortly after Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 51,000 people. The group says its actions are in solidarity with Palestinians and insists it will stop its attacks as soon as a ceasefire in Gaza is established.
A two-month pause in Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping ended recently after Israel resumed its assault on Gaza and tightened its blockade, halting aid deliveries for nearly six weeks. The Israeli occupation army renewed bombardment on 18 March, effectively collapsing the truce and prompting fresh warnings from the Houthis of missile and drone launches.
On Friday, Israel's army said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, which triggered sirens in multiple areas.
US strikes against the Houthis began during Joe Biden's presidency but have intensified under Donald Trump, who has pledged to keep up military pressure until the group halts its attacks on Israel-linked shipping. The effectiveness of these strikes in deterring Houthi capabilities remains unclear.
Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal, forcing many vessels to reroute around the southern tip of Africa. This move has driven up costs and raised concerns about global supply chains.
France said on Thursday that one of its frigates operating in the Red Sea had shot down a drone launched from Yemen. "Our armed forces continue their commitment to ensuring maritime freedom of movement," France's defence minister, Sébastien Lecornu, posted on X.
In Washington, US officials also accused a Chinese satellite firm of aiding the Houthis.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce alleged that Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company had provided satellite imagery to the rebels, claiming this amounted to support for Iran-backed attacks on US interests.
A Beijing foreign ministry spokesman said Friday he was "unaware of the situation" when asked about the US accusations, adding that "China has been actively working to ease" tensions in the Red Sea.
"It is clear to the international community who is promoting peace and dialogue to ease tensions, and who is imposing sanctions and pressure to escalate them," spokesman Lin Jian added at the regular press conference.
Short link: