US Strikes Ras Isa Fuel Port In Yemen, The Challenge of Houthi Underground Fortifications
Earlier this month, at least six B-2 Spirit bombers were reported to have been deployed to Camp Thunder Bay on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
YEMEN - On April 17, 2025, U.S. Central Command announced it conducted a strike on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen to disrupt their fuel supply, funding and military operations as part of Operation Rough Rider the began on March 15, 2025, aiming to weaken the Iran-backed Houthis without harming Yemeni civilians.
The operation reflects a broader U.S. strategy to counter Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, which have disrupted global trade routes critical to energy and commerce.
The Ras Isa fuel port, located in western Yemen, has been a critical asset for the Houthis since their rise to power in parts of the country. The port serves as a primary entry point for fuel imports, which the Houthis use to sustain their military operations and generate substantial economic benefits through illicit sales.
The port’s infrastructure, including storage tanks and distribution networks, enables the Houthis to control fuel distribution across northern Yemen, exacerbating shortages for civilians while prioritizing military needs. According to the CENTCOM statement, these profits directly fund and sustain Houthi terrorist efforts, exacerbating regional instability.
The port's strategic importance is underscored by previous military actions, such as Israeli airstrikes in September and December 2024, which targeted Ras Isa and other Houthi-controlled facilities, aiming to disrupt their supply chains. These Israeli strikes, coordinated with U.S. intelligence, destroyed key fuel depots but failed to halt Houthi operations due to their decentralized smuggling networks.
Houthi Control Over Key Ports Enables The Group To Leverage Fuel Imports For Military And Economic Purposes
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