Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to have attacked the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier and several U.S. warships in the Red Sea, alleging the strike was in retaliation for recent American airstrikes in Yemen.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated Sunday that the group targeted the aircraft carrier and its escort vessels using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. “The armed forces, with the help of God Almighty, carried out a qualitative military operation targeting the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships in the northern Red Sea,” Sarea said in a televised statement.
U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the claims, stating there was no indication of any attack on the Truman.
The Houthis’ announcement followed U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump, which killed at least 31 people in Yemen. The strikes were carried out in response to Houthi raids on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Iran-backed rebel group has previously targeted Israeli-linked ships during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Houthi leaders claim recent U.S. and British strikes on Yemen resulted in civilian casualties, stating that 101 people were wounded.
Trump vowed to take decisive action against the group, pledging to use “overwhelming lethal force” and calling on Iran to cut its support for the Houthis immediately.
