US airstrikes on an oil port in western Yemen have killed at least 38 people, Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported Friday, marking one of the deadliest days since the United States escalated its aerial military campaign against the Iranian-backed group in recent weeks.

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.

US military says aim of strikes, some of the deadliest since start of bombing campaign, was 'to eliminate this source of fuel... and deprive illegal revenue' to the Iran-backed rebels