The Houthis are currently holding several tankers at the port of Ras Isa in Yemen, which was the target of a U.S. military operation just a few weeks ago. The photo shows a Monjasa tanker, but the company is not involved in the detainment. Photo: Monjasa

At least 11 tankers and LPG carriers are currently being prevented from leaving the Ras Isa terminal in Yemen. The militant terrorist organization, the Houthis, is detaining the vessels and has fired warning shots.

This is reported by TradeWinds, based on information from UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The detainment comes two weeks after the U.S. carried out an airstrike on the port, targeting the terror group’s economic infrastructure.

According to UKMTO, several ships in the port have reported being ordered to remain at berth—despite having UN approval to depart—under threats of violence.

- The local authorities have demanded that the ships move from anchorage to berth – and the threats are not empty. Warning shots have been fired, and an armed group has boarded one of the vessels, UKMTO states in its report, according to TradeWinds.

Response to U.S. strike

The seriousness of the situation is confirmed by the security firm Africa Risk Compliance:

- The threat to vessels in Houthi-controlled ports has increased significantly. Our assessment is that ships may be detained or prevented from sailing safely, they wrote on X.

According to data from VesselFinder, there are currently 15 tankers at Ras Isa. TradeWinds reports that these include at least five product tankers, three crude oil tankers, and three LPG carriers. No ships have arrived in the past 24 hours, and no arrivals are expected over the next 30 days, the outlet writes.

The dramatic escalation follows a U.S. airstrike during which several ships were docked. The goal was to target the Houthis’ sources of revenue. The U.S. Central Command, which coordinates the country’s operations in the region, wrote on X:

- Profits from these illicit fuel sales directly fund Houthi terrorist activities. The purpose of the airstrikes was to strike at the rebels’ economic foundation.

Destruction of Houthi Controlled Ras Isa Fuel Port

The Houthis have continued to benefit economically and militarily from countries and companies that provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The Iran-backed Houthis use fuel to sustain their… pic.twitter.com/SRiELV4juk

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 17, 2025