US army says two navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in ‘friendly fire’
The US military has stated that the incident was not caused by 'hostile fire,' despite claims from Yemen's Houthis that their assault on a US aircraft carrier resulted in the downing of the plane.
According to the US military, two Navy pilots from the United States were downed over the Red Sea in what appears to be a "friendly fire" incident.
On Sunday, the Houthi fighters from Yemen announced that they had "attacked" the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman the previous day, claiming the operation resulted in the downing of an F-18 aircraft.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that both pilots safely ejected from their plane after it was hit early on Sunday. One of the pilots sustained some minor injuries during the incident.
CENTCOM stated that this event "was not caused by enemy fire, and a comprehensive investigation is in progress." They also noted that the aircraft had recently taken off from the Truman.
The Houthis have consistently targeted vessels connected to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which are crucial routes for international shipping. They claim their assaults are in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, who have been facing a brutal campaign by Israel for over a year, resulting in the deaths of more than 45,000 individuals.
In a video announcement, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree revealed that the organization had deployed eight drones and 17 cruise missiles during their assault.
CENTCOM reported that earlier, naval vessels and aircraft intercepted and destroyed several drones and an anti-ship cruise missile that were fired by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Netanyahu Promises Retaliation Against Houthis
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take action against the Houthi rebels after they launched a missile at Tel Aviv. He cautioned that Israel would focus on what he referred to as the last part of "Iran's axis of evil."
On Saturday, the Houthis targeted Israel's main business center with what they said was a ballistic missile, resulting in 16 injuries and prompting numerous residents to evacuate their homes after the early morning assault.
In a video message, Netanyahu stated, "Just as we took strong action against the terrorist groups associated with Iran's axis of evil, we will address the Houthis with the same level of strength, resolve, and strategic approach."
On Saturday, the Houthis launched their second attack on Tel Aviv this week, marking one of several assaults on Israel since the conflict in Gaza began.
U.S. and British military forces have consistently targeted rebel positions in Yemen as a reaction to Houthi assaults on vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, Israel has conducted strikes against the Houthis, targeting their ports and energy infrastructure following attacks launched by the rebels on Israeli territory.
On Thursday, Israeli forces launched their first airstrike on Sanaa, targeting the Houthis.
