The US airstrike at Yemen’s RAS ISA oil port killed at least 38 people in one of the deadliest attacks by US forces on the country.
Al Masirah TV said Thursday’s strike also injured 102 people and cited the country’s Hodeidah Health Department.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the air strike is intended to shut down the source of Ansarra’s fuel and revenue.
“The purpose of these strikes was to break down the source of Houthis’ economic power,” Centcom said in a social media post.
The Pentagon did not comment on the rising death toll in response to a question from Reuters news agency.
Reported from Yemen’s capital Sanaa, Al Jazeera correspondent, Mohammed Al Attab, said the US air force has collided with several different areas but is most concentrated in port facilities.
“The first four air raids unfolded while people were working,” he said. He said he was surprised, including a truck driver who was on the scene at the time.
According to Al-Attab, the attack sparked widespread condemnation across Yemen due to civilian deaths and the strategic importance of Ras Isa.