The U.S. military conducted strikes aiming at destroying the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen, U.S. Central Command announced on Thursday.
“Today, U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years,” read the CENTCOM statement. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen.”
It added that the Iranian proxy has been able to sustain its military operations and receive economic benefit by “embezzling the profits” from oil through the Ras Isa port, adding that the fuel should be legitimately supplied to the people of Yemen.
“Despite the Foreign Terrorist Designation that went into effect on April 5, ships have continued to supply fuel via the port of Ras Isa,” read the CENTCOM statement. “Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts.”
U.S. President Donald Trump reclassified the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization after it was downgraded under former President Joe Biden.
