U.S. forces on Thursday hit a major fuel port in western Yemen used to supply Houthi rebels, the first such airstrike publicly announced since Washington began an air campaign against the militant group in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue,\u201d read a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The command said it targeted and destroyed the port of Ras Isa, a primary oil terminal on the Red Sea coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis,\u201d CENTCOM said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. first began airstrikes on the Houthis in Yemen on March 15 as part of a campaign to force the militant group to stop attacking civilian and military ships in the Red Sea, a vital maritime corridor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Trump has vowed to continue such strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis and warned Tehran to stop supporting the group, declaring that the country will be held directly responsible for any future attacks by the rebels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. military has also built up its forces in the region, sending a second carrier strike group to Middle East waters as well as bombers, fighter jets and air defense batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That comes after Trump in late January signed an executive order that recognized the Houthis in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n