Impact site: Ras Isa Oil Port, Hudaydah Governorate, Western Yemen
Date: April 17, 2025
Time: Approximately 21:00 Yemen local time
Victims: Between 74 and 80 people reported killed, including children, and approximately 150 to 171 reported injured; Yemeni Archive identified the names of 34 people reported killed
Incident type: Targeted airstrikes on fuel infrastructure
Responsible party: United States - U.S. Central Command confirmed responsibility

Introduction

On the night of April 17, 2025, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on the Ras Isa oil port in Hudaydah Governorate, Yemen. The port, which plays a critical role in the country’s fuel import and distribution infrastructure, was struck as part of a broader U.S. military campaign targeting Houthi-controlled sites. Following the attack, Houthi-affiliated media and local health authorities reported dozens of deaths and injuries, primarily among port workers, truck drivers, and first responders.

This incident marks one of the deadliest and most strategically significant U.S. strikes in Yemen since an escalation in airstrikes began on March 15, 2025. The Ras Isa strike directly impacted vital civilian infrastructure, with visible consequences for Yemen’s energy supply and environmental safety.

Yemeni Archive chose to investigate this particular incident due to the significant loss of civilian lives, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the worsening fuel shortage it has caused, evident in the resurgence of long queues at petrol stations. Moreover, this strike exemplifies a broader and troubling pattern of targeting infrastructure, a trend that demands urgent attention.

This investigation by Yemeni Archive seeks to document and verify the impact of the strikes using open-source materials. Through the analysis of satellite imagery, ground-level footage, and other publicly available information, the investigation examines the scale of the destruction, the types of munitions used, and the reported human toll.

Given the restricted access to the impact site, most of the immediate visual evidence and victim reporting was sourced from Houthi-affiliated media outlets, who had early and direct access to the location. These sources were cross-referenced with independent imagery and data to ensure verification.

Content Warning

This investigation contains graphic content, including descriptions of individuals killed in the incident, as well as visuals of injured and deceased victims. Sources containing graphic audiovisual material may be redacted or accompanied by warning notices. To request access to an unredacted version, please email us at: requests@yemeniarchive.org.

Methodology

Yemeni Archive conducted an investigation into the April 17, 2025, Ras Isa oil port airstrike based on a multi-stage analysis of open-source documentation, including pre- and post-strike imagery, visual damage assessments, witness reports, and social media posts. Yemeni Archive’s activities included:

Preservation, analysis, and verification of more than 178 sources, including satellite imagery, videos, images, official statements and posts shared by U.S. Central Command, Al-Masirah (a media channel affiliated with the Ansar Allah Movement commonly known as the Houthis), and other media outlets and social media accounts. These materials documented the moment of the strike, the resulting destruction, and the reported casualties at the site;
Geolocation of the impact site and affected areas by matching structures, such as storage tanks, coastal piers, and fuel depots, visible in ground-level footage with high-resolution satellite imagery;
Identification and analysis of munitions and aircraft used through open-source materials, including official U.S. military footage;
Verification of the time of the strike using timestamps from initial social media reports; and
Review of casualty claims shared by the Houthi Ministry of Health and Environment.

For more information on Yemeni Archive’s research methodology, please visit our website.

Background on the March–May 2025 U.S. Attacks in Yemen

According to an official statement from U.S. Central Command, on March 15, 2025 the U.S. initiated a large-scale military operation against Houthi targets in Yemen, which continued over the following days.

On March 16, Al-Masirah reported two U.S. strikes on the command cabin of the hijacked cargo ship Galaxy Leader in Al Hudaydah.
On March 17, the U.S. conducted strikes on various sites, including a cotton ginning factory in Al Hudaydah. Additionally, strikes targeted an under-construction cancer facility in Saada.
On March 19, at least 10 strikes were conducted by the U.S. across multiple areas in Yemen, including reported strikes in Al Safra district, Saada.
On March 22, the U.S. reportedly conducted three strikes on Hudaydah International Airport.
Between March 23 and 31, the U.S. carried out a further series of airstrikes, reportedly bombing a residential building in Western Sana'a that killed one and injured 13, a strike on a cancer hospital in Saada for the second time, and repeated attacks on Saada, Marib, Amran, and Sana’a.

The strikes resulted in widespread damage and casualties, with at least 59 people killed and 136 injured, including women and children, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry.

In April 2025, U.S. airstrikes across Yemen intensified, reportedly hitting civilian infrastructure in multiple governorates. In the first week, strikes were reported in Al Hudaydah, Saada, Hajjah, and Sana’a, with strikes on water infrastructure, a school, a health center, and telecommunications networks. Repeated strikes impacted Kamaran Island off Al Hudayadah’s coast, and neighborhoods in Sana’a such as Shu’ub, Bani Matar, Bani Hashish and Al-Thawra. Further strikes in Marib, Amran, and Ibb were reported to have targeted mountainous areas and communication networks.

On April 17 U.S. aircraft reportedly targeted Ras Isa Oil Port with 14 strikes, resulting in the death of 22 people including first responders according to initial reports. Over the following days, additional strikes were reported in Sana’a, Al Bayda, Al-Jawf, and Maqbanah in Taiz, including impacts on a cultural landmark and communication infrastructure.

According to ABC News, between March 15 and April 24, 2025, the U.S. conducted approximately 750 airstrikes; and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on April 27 that since the initiation of Operation Rough Rider on March 15, U.S. forces had conducted over 800 airstrikes targeting Houthi positions across Yemen. By April 29, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that more than 1,000 airstrikes had been carried out against Houthi targets within the same time frame.

Multiple media organisations including Times of Israel and Newsweek claimed the killing of Houthi military figures in the U.S.-attributed airstrikes during March and April 2025. Yemen Online reported the death of an intelligence commander, while the Basha Report account on X documented dozens of names of Houthi officers reportedly killed in the strikes. Long War Journal also noted that the U.S. campaign targeted senior Houthi political and military leadership. Yemeni Archive could not independently confirm the names and affiliations of those reported killed.

According to the Houthi-run health authorities, between March 16 and April 14, 123 people were killed and 247 injured in the airstrikes; and according to the Yemen Data Project, between March 15 and April 22, 2025, over 500 civilian casualties were recorded, including at least 158 fatalities and 342 injured. The strike on Ras Isa oil port on April 17 was reportedly one of the deadliest incidents in that period. Another notable airstrike on April 28 reportedly impacted a detention facility in Saada governorate, killing at least 68 African migrants and injuring dozens more. The U.S. Department of Defense has not published civilian casualty figures.

The U.S.-led airstrikes on Houthi areas have shown a recurring pattern of targeting or damaging civilian infrastructure - according to Al Jazeera, repeated strikes have impacted “homes, medical facilities, wedding halls, schools, power supply units and ports.”

It is important to note that these recent strikes by U.S. Central Command are not the first instance of U.S. military action on Yemen. Between 2002 and 2017, the United States has carried out at least 249 drone attacks and airstrikes in Yemen, purportedly targeting suspected militants linked to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and other extremist groups.

These operations have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. According to data compiled by Airwars, between 443 – 642 civilians, including up to 110 children, were likely killed in U.S. airstrikes in Yemen between 2009 and 2025.

While the U.S. government has acknowledged at least one case of civilian harm it has generally failed to publicly account for the full extent of civilian casualties. Reports from organizations such as Mwatana for Human Rights indicate a consistent lack of transparency, with no evidence of formal accountability measures or ex gratia payments to victims’ families.

Other Strikes on Ras Isa Port

According to Houthi media reports, U.S. forces have targeted the Ras Isa oil terminal on several occasions. On January 10, 2025, Al-Masirah reported a series of airstrikes on Ras Isa port, which resulted in one port worker killed and six others injured. After the strikes on April 17 described in this report, Ras Isa was subsequently targeted on April 25, 26, and May 2, 4, and 5, 2025. Houthi Foreign Minister Jamal Amer and the Russian Embassy in Yemen reported that three Russian sailors from the crew of an oil tanker were injured in the U.S. strikes on Ras Isa on April 25.

Ras Isa was also reportedly impacted by Israeli airstrikes on December 19, 2024, resulting in three people killed and two injured. The most recent Israeli airstrikes on Ras Isa were reported on July 7, 2025.

On May 6, 2025, the United States announced a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis, mediated by Oman, aiming to de-escalate the conflict and ensure safe commercial navigation in the region.

Background: Ras Isa Oil Port and Strategic Context

Ras Isa Oil Port is situated in the Al-Salif district in Hudaydah Governorate on the western coast of Yemen, along the Red Sea shoreline. Its exact location is 15.2518962, 42.6143796, roughly 60 km north-northwest of the city of Al Hudaydah. The port facilities consist of a collection of large oil storage tanks and refining equipment on the Ras Isa peninsula, across the water from Kamaran Island.

Picture 1.png — *Satellite image from Airbus via Google Earth Pro on June 8, 2023 showing the impact site Ras Isa port at coordinates 15.2518962, 42.6143796. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 23, 2025.*

Ras Isa Port was established in 1986, and is Yemen’s second-largest oil export facility. It is connected to the Marib oil fields by a 440 km pipeline which had a pre-war capacity of 200,000 barrels per day. The port’s tanks can store up to 3 million barrels of crude oil. As one of the few remaining terminals capable of handling crude oil in western Yemen, the port’s strategic location near the Red Sea shipping lanes further amplifies its importance, as it facilitates the movement of oil exports and imports, impacting both Yemen's economy and regional energy dynamics. Ras Isa is also a key terminal for diesel imports from the UAE. The Red Sea corridor which passes near Ras Isa sees the transit of approximately 8.8 million barrels of oil per day and 30% of global container traffic, making it a chokepoint of international strategic interest.

The port and its surrounding areas have been under the control of Houthi forces since the early stages of the Yemeni civil war and remained under their authority at the time of the April 17, 2025 airstrikes.

Picture 2.png — *Screenshot from* *LiveUAmap* showing the reported U.S. airstrikes on coastal areas of Al Hudaydah governorate on April 17, 2025. The red shade on the map represents the areas under Houthi control. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 25, 2025.

Strike Chronology - What Happened and When

According to publicly available information, at approximately 21:41 local time on April 17, 2025, the Ras Isa oil port was reportedly subjected to four airstrikes. From their Telegram channel, Al-Masirah described the attack as “American aggression’” stating that four airstrikes had targeted the area around Ras Isa.

Picture 3.png — *Screenshot from* *Al-Masirah’s* *Telegram channel showing the first news report about the airstrikes on April 17, 2025. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 28, 2025.*

This was followed by another post shared by Al-Masirah at 21:49 local time, reporting a series of U.S. airstrikes targeting Ras Isa oil port.

Picture 4.png — *Screenshot from a Telegram post shared by* *Al-Masirah. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 28, 2025.*

At 21:53, the official U.S. Central Command account posted on X confirming that it had “destroyed the fuel platform at the Ras Isa Port, which is controlled by the Houthis.”

Social media users posted footage which they claimed to show the airstrikes:

Ali Nasser Al-Awlaki, a lawyer and journalist, shared a video on X at 22:03 local time. The footage, filmed from a distance, purportedly shows U.S. airstrikes on the Ras Isa oil port. Al-Awlaki claimed that four American airstrikes struck Houthi weapons depots at the site; Yemeni Archive has not been able to independently verify this claim.
Idris Al-Shoaibi posted a video on Facebook that appears to show a distant airstrike, with the caption: 'Bombing of Ras Isa port moments ago.'
Mohammed Al-Maswari, a lawyer, shared a video on X capturing the moment of an airstrike, seemingly filmed from close range aboard a ship at the port.
Screenshot from Al-Maswari’s shared video showing the immediate aftermath of an airstrike, with fires still burning. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 29, 2025.
Subsequent posts from Al-Masirah indicated additional airstrikes shortly after the initial attack.
Within hours, reports emerged of casualties among workers at the oil facility. An ‘urgent update’ published at 23:50 local time reported that there were deaths and injuries resulting from the bombing.
Screenshot from Al-Masirah’s Telegram channel reporting deaths and injuries as a result of the attack. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 28, 2025.

Later the same night at 00:28, Al-Masirah reported that 17 port workers were killed, with additional posts describing ongoing efforts by emergency and civil defense teams to extinguish fires and rescue victims.

Picture 7.png — *Screenshot from* *Al-Masirah’s* *Telegram channel reporting 17 deaths and many injuries as a result of the attack. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 28, 2025.*

On April 18, 2025 at 01:04, Al-Masirah shared their first video (graphic) showing the early moments of the airstrikes. The compiled footage captures scenes of destruction, smoke rising from the site, and emergency response activity with first responders and fire trucks attempting to put out the fire. Another early video (graphic) published by Al-Masirah shows large fires and thick black smoke rising from what appear to be fuel storage tanks. The camera documents multiple graphic scenes of human remains across the site, including severed limbs and bodies severely burned or torn apart. First responders and civilians are seen navigating the wreckage, collecting body parts and carrying the dead on stretchers.

Picture 8.png — *Screenshots from* *Al-Masirah’s* video (graphic) showing the first moments after the attack, with fires still burning and first responders present at the scene. The images were grouped and captured by Yemeni Archive on April 28, 2025.

Another video (graphic) was recorded inside a medical facility. The footage shows injured individuals, many with visible burns, receiving treatment from medical staff. According to witnesses interviewed by Al-Masirah, the individuals were port workers carrying out their duties at a civilian facility with no military presence. Among the injured who appeared in the interviews was a member of the Civil Defense. One interviewee stated that approximately seven airstrikes occurred at the same time.

In a phone interview, Mohammed Muawadhah, Al-Masirah’s correspondent in Hudaydah, stated that the airstrikes began around 21:00. According to Muawadhah, the port was targeted with six airstrikes during the peak of shift changes.

Throughout the day on April 18, casualty numbers continued to rise according to Al-Masirah updates. By early morning, the number of reported deaths had increased to 33, with 80 wounded; half an hour later, the death toll reached 38 workers and employees, with 102 wounded.

Picture 9.png — *Screenshot from* *Al-Masirah* *reporting the number of deaths and injuries resulting from the attack. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 29, 2025.*

According to news reports, the airstrikes resumed while emergency services were working on-site, causing additional casualties among first responders, with five rescue workers reportedly killed.

Visual content shared by Al-Masirah was widely shared online, included images (graphic) from the port site after the strikes showing the dead, and videos documenting the aftermath including scenes from the hospitals treating the wounded.

Accumulated reports indicate that the first strikes on Ras Isa oil port occurred around 21:00 or no later than 21:41 local time on April 17, 2025, and that a total of 14 strikes took place, according to Al-Masirah.

Geolocation

The impact site is Ras Isa oil port, located at coordinates 15.2518962, 42.6143796.

Videos and images shared online from the impacted site provide a visual match between satellite imagery and ground footage, placing the damage within the immediate vicinity of Ras Isa oil port’s loading infrastructure.

Picture 10.png — *Satellite image from Airbus via Google Earth Pro (top), dated June 9, 2023, showing the Ras Isa oil facility prior to the April 2025 airstrikes, and screenshot from an Al-Masirah* *video* (bottom), showing the same location following the airstrikes. Matching features include fuel storage tanks (yellow and red), and a docked vessel along the pier (orange). The blue circle highlights an undeveloped area near the shoreline. Grouped, annotated, and captured by Yemeni Archive on 6 May 2025.

Picture 11.png — *Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC (top), taken on April 18, 2025, and a screenshot from* *Al-Masirah* video (bottom) confirm the geolocation of Ras Isa oil port’s coastal infrastructure. Color-coded markers identify shared visual reference points between both perspectives: three piers extending into the Red Sea, including one with a docked vessel. Grouped, annotated, and captured by Yemeni Archive on May 1, 2025.

Picture 12.png — *Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC (top), taken on April 18, 2025, and a screenshot from* *Al-Masirah* video (bottom) confirm the geolocation of damage at Ras Isa oil port. Color-coded markers identify shared visual reference points between both perspectives: orange outlines two collapsed storage tanks; blue highlights a black-colored storage tank; and yellow marks another white storage tank. Grouped, annotated, and captured by Yemeni Archive on May 1, 2025.

Based on MarineTraffic data, two tanker vessels were docked at Ras Isa port at the time of the attack. AKOYA GAS is an LPG tanker built in 1997 and sailing under the flag of Tanzania, with a carrying capacity of 34,745 cubic meters of liquid gas. RIVAL is an oil/chemical tanker built in 2008, sailing under the flag of Cyprus, with a carrying capacity of 13,078 tonnes. It was reported that RIVAL departed on April 18, 2025, at 08:42 Yemen time, and AKOYA GAS departed on the same day at 23:22 Yemen time. Cross-referencing a satellite image taken on April 18, 2025, it appears the image was captured sometime after the departure of RIVAL.

Picture 13.png — *Screenshot from* *MarineTraffic* showing vessel activity at Ras Isa Port, Yemen. According to the data, two tankers, RIVAL and AKOYA GAS, were docked at the port in the days leading up to the reported airstrike. Annotated and captured by Yemeni Archive on May 8, 2025.

Yemeni Archive has verified the location of the airstrike at the Ras Isa oil port on Yemen’s Red Sea coast through cross-referencing satellite imagery, vessel tracking data, and visual documentation - consistent alignment of key site features confirms the impact site.

Destruction

Videos posted by Al-Masirah of the damage at Ras Isa port on April 18, 2025, show the destruction across the port’s fuel infrastructure. The immediate videos from the impact site at night show fires, smoke plumes, and visible damage to fuel tankers and fuel storage areas.

Picture 14.png — *Screenshots from* *Al-Masirah’s* *video (graphic) from the night of April 17 showing fires still burning and destroyed trucks. Grouped and captured by Yemeni Archive on April 30, 2025.*

Daytime video footage shared by Al-Masirah on April 18, 2025, shows extensive destruction across Ras Isa port’s fuel infrastructure. The footage also captures widespread damage to fuel tankers, oil storage facilities, and coastal loading zones. Observed damage patterns including charred vehicle remains, collapsed fuel tanks, and scorched terrain indicate multiple impacts across the port complex.

Picture 15.png — *Screenshot from Al-Masirah’s* *video* showing damage in the coastal loading area of Ras Isa oil port, including multiple burned fuel tankers, scorched terrain, collapsed fuel tanks, and debris scattered near the shoreline. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 30, 2025.

Picture 16.png

Picture 17.png — *The top screenshot from* *Al-Masirah’s* video shows structural damage to three large fuel storage tanks at Ras Isa oil port. All tanks appear partially collapsed, with their roofs caved in and sidewalls warped or shredded. The bottom satellite image from Planet Labs PBC taken on April 18, 2025, confirms widespread damage to storage tanks, including roof collapses, burn marks, and structural breaches. Captured by Yemeni Archive on April 30, 2025.

Picture 18.png — *Screenshots from* *Al-Masirah's* video show severe damage to fuel transport infrastructure along the Ras Isa coastline. In the first image, multiple fuel tankers appear destroyed near the shoreline. An impact crater filled with water is seen at the center of the blast zone, surrounded by scorched earth and debris. In the second image, structural wreckage including collapsed piping infrastructure suggests multiple impacts. Burnt buses and oil tankers and debris are dispersed throughout the site. Grouped and captured by Yemeni Archive on April 30, 2025.

picture 19.png — The top satellite image from Planet Labs PBC taken on April 8, 2025 shows fuel storage infrastructure and multiple docked tankers at Ras Isa port. The bottom satellite image, taken on April 18, 2025 shows damage across the site, with visible burn scars, destroyed fuel storage tanks, and damage around docking facilities, indicating multiple impacts. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 2, 2025.

In addition to the damage to the port’s infrastructure, Associated Press reported an oil leak into the Red Sea as a result of the strikes.

Picture 20.png — *Screenshot of* *satellite imagery* taken on April 18, 2025, by Planet Labs PBC via AP shows oil leaking into the Red Sea following the airstrikes on the Ras Isa oil port, likely caused by damage to storage tanks or pipelines near the coastline. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 1, 2025.

The destruction of Ras Isa port has caused Houthi-controlled areas to experience a severe fuel crisis that escalated noticeably in late April 2025. According to Yemeni National Army-affiliated journalist Rashid Maarouf on X, vehicle lines outside fuel stations in Ibb stretched for several kilometers, with residents waiting for hours to obtain gasoline or diesel. Maarouf reported that the Houthis imposed restrictions on fuel distribution, leading to a sharp rise in black market prices. In early May official Houthi pricing was roughly YR9,500 for 20 L equivalent to YR475 per liter, while black-market petrol was selling at roughly YR1,000–2,000 per liter (about $2–$3.7). Eyewitnesses told Al-Araby that after official pumps closed on May 5, some had to buy fuel in plastic containers. One Sana’a driver, Imad Al-Qubati said he was “forced to resort to the black market,” buying 20L at YR2,000/L after the local station shut.

Picture 21.png — *Screenshot from a* *video* *shared by Al-Yemennow on X on May 6, 2025, shows large crowds of motorcyclists gathering reportedly at a fuel station in Sana’a. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 8, 2025.*

Picture 22.png — *Screenshot from a* *video* *shared on X by Rashid Maarouf on May 8, 2025, shows long lines of vehicles reportedly at Al-Dubari fuel station in Ibb amid a worsening fuel crisis. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 8, 2025.*

Based on open-source information including satellite imagery, Yemeni Archive was able to confirm damage to Ras Isa oil port’s fuel infrastructure following April 17, 2025. The strikes impacted key components of the facility, including fuel tankers, storage tanks, and coastal loading zones. Structural collapse and fire damage including ground scarring are visible throughout the site. Additionally, environmental consequences were observed, with satellite imagery showing oil leaking into the Red Sea, likely from compromised pipelines or tanks near the shoreline.

Economic/Humanitarian consequences:

The airstrikes have resulted in a humanitarian and economic crisis according to news shared online. The port’s destruction immediately disrupted fuel flows into Houthi-controlled northern Yemen, resulting in widespread fuel shortages that are crippling basic services. The New Arab reported that the strike “threatens to trigger an energy crisis,” while Al Jazeera highlighted the potential impact on hospitals and water facilities. The port's destruction has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where over 23 million people rely on aid. The World Bank estimates that Yemen’s GDP could shrink by 2-3% annually due to the loss of Ras Isa’s capacity. Additionally, the United Nations Secretary-General warned that the destruction of oil storage tanks near the shoreline may trigger oil spills along the Red Sea coast.

Victims

Content warning: This section contains graphic content, including descriptions of individuals killed in the incident, and visuals of injured and deceased victims.

Shortly after reports emerged about the April 17 strikes, Al-Masirah’s Telegram channel shared early casualty figures, quoting the Red Crescent as stating: “17 employees were killed and dozens injured in the initial toll". On April 18, the Houthi Ministry of Health and Environment announced an updated casualty toll, stating that the number of victims had risen to 140, comprising 38 fatalities and 102 injuries among port workers and employees. It was reported that the April 17 attack was among the deadliest since the beginning of the U.S. campaign against the Houthis.

Houthi-affiliated news channels shared graphic footage of individuals with visible signs of severe burns and dismemberment, along with scenes of emergency response efforts, wounded individuals inside hospitals, and interviews with both the injured and medical staff.

A video shared by both the Houthis’ official media centre and Al-Masirah on the morning of April 18 reportedly shows survivors receiving medical care. Yemeni Archive observed approximately 16 injured individuals shown in the video. The footage documents several individuals with extensive burn injuries to their limbs, particularly legs and forearms, with visible signs of severe tissue damage, skin peeling, and charring consistent with second- or third-degree burns. Some victims are shown with open wounds and bleeding, while others have their legs heavily bandaged or splinted. Medical staff can be seen applying burn cream, administering IVs, and providing other emergency care as the injured lie on stretchers or hospital beds.

picture 23.png — *Screenshots from* *Al-Masirah* video show multiple persons receiving emergency treatment. Injuries include severe burns and visible trauma to limbs. The screenshots were grouped, captured and redacted by Yemeni Archive on May 6, 2025.

Additional video footage shared on April 18 shows hospitals appearing overcrowded, with multiple instances of two injured people sharing a single bed.

picture 24.png — *Screenshots from an* *Al-Masirah* *video show overcrowded conditions inside a hospital . Grouped, captured and redacted by Yemeni Archive on May 6, 2025.*

In a news report (graphic imagery) published by the Houthis’ media centre, a doctor from the emergency department of a hospital stated that they had “received multiple injuries of varying severity, including minor, moderate, and critical cases requiring surgical intervention”. The doctor added that the situation remained under control at the time of reporting, and that the hospital was still receiving wounded individuals.

Footage from the Houthis’ official media center shows the injured being transferred to Hudaydah Specialized Hospital, located at coordinates 14.7908291, 42.9599231.

picture 25.png — *The top screenshot is taken from a video published by the* *Houthis’ official media center, showing people gathered at the entrance of the emergency department of Hudaydah Specialized Hospital. The bottom screenshot, taken from user-shared images on* *Google Maps, shows the hospital's signage and exterior lighting, which matches the signs and lights seen in the video. Grouped and captured by Yemeni Archive on June 12, 2025.*

Multiple reports were shared by Houthi-affiliated media regarding the number of those killed. While Al-Masirah’s Telegram channel and Saba News Agency reported the death toll via the Ministry of Health as 74 with 171 injuries, the Health Office in Al Hudaydah stated that the number had reached 80 deaths and 150 injuries. Yemeni Archive did not find a verified death toll for this strike by any independent organizations.

Facebook accounts shared names of those reported killed at the port. On April 18 Omar Mohammed Al-Dhai’a published a list of 27 names, stating they were drivers and an engineer present at the port. According to the post, two of the drivers had children with them: one had one child, and the other had two; these children were reportedly killed. The account of Haraj Amran shared eight additional names, two of which overlapped with those in Al-Dhai’a’s post, also reporting that 5 paramedics were killed; while the account of Rami Almaznai announced the death of his friend as a result of the airstrike.

On April 21, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed deep concern over the airstrikes and confirmed the death of five humanitarian workers among the victims.

All open sources available online described the victims as civilians and first responders. Yemeni Archive did not find any sources identifying any of them as military combatants.

Munitions Used

U.S. Central Command shared a statement on April 17, 2025, claiming responsibility and stating that U.S. forces “took action to eliminate this source of fuel,” but they did not name the specific weapons or ordnance used. An Air & Space Forces Magazine report noted that U.S. strikes on the Houthis have employed “pricey munitions, including cruise missiles and guided bombs.”

Open-source visual content shared by the U.S. Central Command account on X earlier in 2025 showed types of guided bombs and missiles used in related raids on Yemen. Platforms and munitions used in Yemen reportedly include F/A-18 Super Hornets armed with GBU-53/B “StormBreaker” small-diameter glide bombs, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) glide bombs, and AGM-84 SLAM-ER standoff cruise missiles.

The GBU-53/B StormBreaker (Small Diameter Bomb II), a ~250‑lb GPS/laser glide bomb, has been specifically confirmed as deployed in Yemen. For example, U.S. Central Command footage released in late March shows F/A-18 Super Hornets loading StormBreakers on the deck of the USS Truman and flying with them.

picture 26.png — *Screenshot from a* *video* *shared on X by U.S. Central Command on March 23 and* *analysed* by The Aviationist on March 25, 2025, reportedly showing an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-81 'Sunliners' squadron launching with a payload of GBU-53/B StormBreaker precision glide bombs during sorties targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 5, 2025.

picture 27.png — *Screenshot from a* *video* *shared on X by U.S. Central Command on March 22, 2025, showing a GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb on the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman. The munition is visible at the bottom of the video frame,* *identifiable* *by its distinctive yellow stripe marking. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 5, 2025.*

On April 17, U.S. Central Command shared a video on its website showing munitions consistent with GBU-31(V)/B Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAMs), 2,000-lb precision-guided bombs.

oicture 28.png — *Screenshot from a* *video* *published by U.S. Central Command on April 17, 2025, shows a U.S. Navy ordnance crew member handling a* *2,000-lb GBU-31(V)/B JDAM*, *identifiable* *by its shape and markings. Captured by Yemeni Archive on May 13, 2025.*

Despite the videos published by U.S. Central Command showing the types of bombs and guided missiles used in Yemen during the March-April 2025 airstrikes, there is limited information and a lack of publicly documented weapon remnants to prove precisely which munitions were used in the airstrikes on Ras Isa oil port.

Responses

In a statement issued on April 17, 2025, U.S. CENTCOM claimed responsibility for the airstrikes. According to the statement, the operation aimed to “eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts.” The port was not described as a military site, but rather as an economic node allegedly used by the Houthis to “sustain their military operations, as a weapon of control,” and to generate profits through fuel imports. CENTCOM claimed that the “strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen,” but sought to degrade the Houthis’ economic infrastructure.

Within Yemen, on April 19 Saba reported a statement from the General Federation of Yemeni Workers’ Unions condemning the U.S. strikes, which targeted what was described as a “vital service facility.” Insan Organization for Rights and Freedoms and Ain Al-Insaniya Center for Rights and Development, both Yemeni NGOs, condemned the U.S. airstrikes.

On April 18, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei strongly condemned the strikes, describing them as “a clear act of aggression and grave breach of fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law”.

In an April 19 statement, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric relayed that Secretary-General António Guterres was “gravely concerned about the airstrikes … in and around Yemen’s port of Ras Isa”. Additionally, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg issued a statement saying he was “concerned about the impact of the US airstrikes … on civilians, particularly truck drivers and port workers”.

On April 24 Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced the attack, saying Russia “views such actions as absolutely unjustified and inadmissible” and urging all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation.

Non-state armed groups in the region also condemned the attack. On April 18, Hamas issued a statement condemning the U.S. strikes and declared its solidarity with the Yemeni people, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also condemned the attack, describing it as a “war crime”.

Conclusion

Based on open-source material collected, archived, and verified by Yemeni Archive including satellite imagery, witness testimonies, hospital footage, and official statements, the U.S. airstrike on Ras Isa oil port occurred at approximately 21:00 local time on April 17, 2025. The impacted location was an energy facility, and no visual or testimonial evidence reviewed by Yemeni Archive indicated the presence of military infrastructure or personnel at the time of the attack. Open-source information reported that at least 14 strikes targeted the port on April 17.

According to casualty figures released by Houthi-affiliated media outlets and local health authorities, at least 74 people were killed and no fewer than 150 injured, including civilians and first responders; Yemeni Archive was able to find names of 34 persons reported on social media to have been killed in the airstrike. Hospital footage showed overcrowded emergency rooms, with multiple wounded individuals sharing single beds. According to media reports, the Ras Isa strikes were the deadliest in the U.S. air campaign and had a direct impact on Yemen’s fuel supply.

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The U.S. Airstrike on Ras Isa Oil Port

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