Pilots Eject Safely Following Misidentification by Friendly Forces
Two US Navy pilots were forced to eject from their aircraft over the Red Sea on Sunday morning due to an incident described by the US military as “an apparent case of friendly fire.” The pilots were recovered alive, with one suffering minor injuries.
Huthi Rebels Claim Involvement
Subsequently, on Sunday, Yemen’s Huthi rebels, supported by Iran, claimed they had targeted the USS Harry S Truman the day before, asserting responsibility for downing an F-18. They described their actions as thwarting “American-British aggression” in Yemen.
US Central Command’s Statement
According to a statement from United States Central Command (CENTCOM) issued late Saturday, the pilots were safe after the incident, which was explicitly not a result of hostile action. CENTCOM confirmed that a full investigation is in progress to understand how the USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on the F/A-18 from the USS Harry S Truman.
Context of US Operations in Region
This incident underscores the complexities and dangers of US military operations aimed at countering the Huthi rebels, who have been attacking shipping in vital maritime routes like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for over a year.
Recent US Military Engagements
The US had previously conducted airstrikes in Yemen, targeting a missile storage facility in Sanaa, following a Huthi missile attack that injured people in Tel Aviv, Israel. Additionally, CENTCOM reported that US forces successfully neutralized several Huthi attack drones and an anti-ship cruise missile in the Red Sea, employing both Air Force and Navy resources, including F/A-18 jets.
Huthi’s Stated Motivations
The Huthi rebels have stated their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which started in October 2023.
