The Yemeni Houthi movement, known as Ansar Allah, has claimed responsibility for downing a U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jet over the Red Sea, escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The incident, initially described by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as a "friendly fire" event, occurred Sunday when the USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on the aircraft, which had taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree declared in a statement that their forces had "foiled a U.S.-UK attack on Yemen" and targeted American ships with a coordinated assault involving eight cruise missiles and 17 drones. Saree claimed this operation led to the downing of the U.S. fighter jet, though CENTCOM has not corroborated these assertions. "The American attacks on Yemen are condemned and illegal terrorist attacks," added Mohammed al-Houthi, a prominent leader of the group.
The Houthis framed their operation as a defense against aggression, claiming that U.S. and allied forces are escalating their military presence in the region. Saree emphasized that the attacks on U.S. assets were a direct response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where the Houthis have voiced support for Palestinians. "The reckless terrorist actions against Yemen do not stop the support operations for Gaza," al-Houthi stated.
The incident comes amid heightened U.S. and allied military activity in the Red Sea, driven by increasing Houthi attacks on shipping vessels and Israeli-linked assets. U.S. forces have recently intercepted several Houthi drones and missiles in the region, describing these actions as necessary to protect international maritime routes. CENTCOM reported precision strikes against Houthi-controlled facilities in Yemen, though it did not explicitly link these operations to the alleged friendly fire incident.
The Houthis' claims of responsibility are seen by analysts as an attempt to exploit confusion surrounding the jet's downing to enhance their image as a formidable force in the region. While the group has previously demonstrated significant military capabilities, including missile and drone attacks, their assertion of directly downing a U.S. fighter jet remains unverified.
The escalating conflict has drawn broader international attention as the Houthis intensify their involvement in regional power struggles. Their targeting of vessels and military assets linked to Israel and the U.S. has been framed as a show of solidarity with Gaza, where thousands have been killed in Israel's ongoing military campaign.
American officials have not addressed the Houthis' claims directly, focusing instead on investigating the circumstances of the jet's downing. CENTCOM reaffirmed that the incident resulted from friendly fire, stating, "A full investigation is underway." Both pilots involved in the incident ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries.
