‘Degrade the Economic Source of Power’: U.S. Strikes Fuel Port Used by Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Latest Developments

• Houthis Profit From Illicit Fuel: The U.S. military struck the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen on April 17 to “degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis,” according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). In the same statement, CENTCOM went on to say that the Houthis used the fuel imported via the port for “illegal revenue” to support their terrorist activities. CENCTOM made clear that the strike “was not intended to harm the people of Yemen” but to “eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists.”
• Ballistic Missile Launched at Israel: The Houthis claimed without independent verification that 74 were killed and 171 were wounded during the U.S. strikes, the deadliest toll the group has publicly asserted since President Donald Trump took office. Shortly after the strikes, Israel intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis. CENTCOM confirmed on April 15 that it was conducting round-the-clock strikes against Houthi targets from the two Carrier Strike Groups in the region, the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinson.
• Chinese Company Helping Houthis: On April 17, the U.S. State Department revealed that a company linked to the Chinese military, Chang Guang Satellite Technology, was directly assisting the Houthis by supplying them with satellite imagery to target U.S. military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. “China consistently attempts … to frame itself as a global peacemaker … however, it is clear that Beijing and China-based companies provide key economic and technical support to regimes like Russia, North Korea and Iran and its proxies,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

FDD Expert Response

“The Axis of Aggressors, consisting of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, is an increasingly concerning geostrategic reality that is making each member of the axis more capable in its respective spheres of aggression. Ignoring the cooperation among the axis members and their terror proxies and viewing each of them in isolation misses the big picture and leads to a less effective U.S. response. If there are not serious consequences for axis cooperation against Americans, we should expect more aggression.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“It should be absolutely no surprise that China is assisting the Houthis in targeting U.S. Navy ships and international merchant shipping. The United States — and its allies and partners — are in an increasingly complex and violent contest with the Axis of Aggressors: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. China wishes the United States, and more specifically the U.S. Navy, ill will. The Trump administration needs to take immediate aggressive economic action against this and any tangentially related Chinese firm. This is why we must confront all four authoritarians everywhere they attack democracies — whether it be Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine, or South Korea.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology

“While U.S. strikes against the Houthis are justified considering the Iran-backed group’s destabilizing activities in the region, the Trump administration must recognize the inherent limitations of airpower. Examples of this limitation are Israel’s repeated conflicts with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations, which have shown that airstrikes alone are generally insufficient to secure long-term strategic objectives. The Houthis will likely entrench themselves, prepare for a protracted conflict with the United States, and continue to attack U.S. and Israeli targets. Therefore, the critical question is: What is the administration’s ultimate objective? Equally important is whether the United States is prepared to sustain a long-term campaign against the Houthis.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

“U.S. Treasury Targets Russian Elements of the Houthis’ Iran-Backed Financing Network,” by Bridget Toomey

“Why Trump can’t beat the Houthis,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht

“Key targets hit by ongoing US airstrikes against the Houthis,” by Bridget Toomey

“‘Increasing Fortitude’: U.S. Intelligence Report Highlights Threats From Axis of Aggressors,” FDD Flash Brief

“Advanced Weapons for Houthis Intercepted at Oman-Yemen Border,” by Ahmad Sharawi and Bridget Toomey