Washington: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces conducted airstrikes on the Ras Isa fuel port in western Yemen, which is under Houthi control. The operation, executed on Thursday, aimed to disrupt the Houthis' access to "illegal revenue," as stated by CENTCOM. The Houthis have reportedly been benefiting economically and militarily from entities providing material support to them, despite being designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Iran-backed Houthis have been utilizing fuel to sustain their military operations, controlling resources, and economically profiting by embezzling from imports. CENTCOM's statement highlighted that although a Foreign Terrorist Designation was enforced on April 5, fuel shipments have continued to arrive at Ras Isa port. The revenues from these sales are alleged to be directly financing Houthi terrorist activities.
The US forces undertook this action to eliminate the Houthi's access to this critical fuel source and cut off illegal revenues that have been supporting their regional terrorism efforts for over a decade. The airstrikes were intended to weaken the Houthis' economic power without harming the Yemeni populace, who aspire for peace and freedom from Houthi dominance.
The statement further warned the Houthis, their Iranian allies, and their supporters against the illicit smuggling of fuel and war materials, emphasizing that the international community would not tolerate such activities.