US strikes Yemen fuel port as Hamas rejects ‘partial’ truce

DWApril 18, 2025

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Houthi authorities said dozens of workers were killed by the US strike on Ras Isa port (FILE: June 12, 2023). Image: Stringer/dpa/picture alliance

YEMEN: DOZENS of people were killed after US forces struck a major fuel port in Yemen on Thursday night.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out the strikes on Ras Isa port to “degrade the economic source” of power of the Iran-backed Houthi militants.

“Today, US forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists,” CENTCOM said on social media.

“This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully,” it added.

Dozens killed, scores wounded

The airstrikes killed at least 38 people, Houthi-affiliated media said. The death toll included at least five paramedics, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry.

There were also some “50 wounded workers and employees at the Ras Isa oil port, following the American aggression,” the ministry added.

The deaths from the strike on the port in western Yemen marked one of the highest tolls so far since the US began an air campaign against the militant group last month.

The US says the campaign will continue until the Houthis stop attacking cargo ships near the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas rejects ‘partial’ ceasefire proposal

Meanwhile, the Palestinian militant group Hamas rejected terms set out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a new truce.

Hamas’ Gaza chief and head of the negotiating team, Khalil Al-Hayya, said the group would not agree to a “partial” ceasefire.

“Netanyahu and his government use partial agreements as a cover for their political agenda, which is based on continuing the war of extermination and starvation, even if the price is sacrificing all his prisoners (hostages),” Hayya said in a televised address. “We will not be part of passing this policy.”

Hayya said Hamas was ready to immediately engage in “comprehensive package negotiations” to release all remaining hostages in its custody in return for an end to the Gaza war, the release of Palestinians jailed by Israel, and the reconstruction of Gaza.