Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed a direct missile hit on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in a deepening battle with the US aircraft carrier and U.K.-backed Saudi-led alliance. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, this attack was payback for American and British bombings on Houthi facilities in Yemen. Saree’s televised statement said the Houthi missile and naval forces targeted Eisenhower with “accurate and direct” attacks from winged and ballistic missiles. The spokesperson said the strike was a retaliation to “brutal aggression” by U.S. and U.K. airstrikes on Houthi-controlled Yemen.
U.S. Officials Refute Claims of Attack
However, the U.S. Department of Defense has firmly denied the Houthi claims, with a duty officer from the Defense Press Operations telling Newsweek that “there is no truth to those rumours.” Additionally, U.S. officials have stated that they were unaware of any activity or threat in the vicinity of the Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which has been operating in the Red Sea since January, as part of the international efforts to secure maritime routes.
Escalating Conflict and Retaliatory Strikes: Houthi Attack
Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition have been fighting since 2015. The claimed Eisenhower attack coincided with this. The conflict has further intensified in recent weeks, with the Houthis claiming to have targeted numerous commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and surrounding waters in retaliation for the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the coalition’s airstrikes on Yemen.
Houthi Assertions and Claimed Casualties
According to Saree, the Houthis have purportedly launched a total of 27 ballistic missiles and drones at targets aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean over the past week. He further claimed that the group has targeted 129 vessels since November 2023. Additionally, Saree alleged that six U.S. and U.K. strikes have resulted in 16 fatalities and 41 injuries, including civilian casualties.
Coalition Strikes and Targeted Facilities
In response to the Houthi attacks on international shipping, the U.S. and U.K. forces conducted joint airstrikes on Houthi military facilities in Yemen on May 30. The British Ministry of Defence confirmed that the strikes targeted two locations near Hudaydah, which were identified as housing drone ground control facilities, storage for long-range drones, and surface-to-air weapons used in the anti-shipping attacks.
Additionally, a set of Houthi facilities at Ghulayfiqah, further south on the Yemeni coast, were targeted due to their involvement in the command and control of the group’s anti-shipping campaign.
Multinational Efforts to Secure Maritime Routes
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a total of 13 sites were targeted in the joint operation, with the aim of “degrading the Houthis’ ability to persist with attacks on international shipping.” The strikes were conducted using a combination of American and British fighter jets, as well as U.S. naval vessels.
CENTCOM says these efforts protect our personnel, ensure freedom of passage, and keep U.S., coalition, and trade boats safer in international waters.
Houthi Attacks on Shipping and Drones
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on commercial shipping in the region, with the U.S. Maritime Administration reporting that the group has launched more than 50 attacks since November. These attacks have reportedly resulted in the sinking of one ship and the deaths of three sailors.
In addition to the alleged attacks on vessels, the Houthis have also claimed to have downed several U.S. surveillance drones, including MQ-9 Reaper drones, in recent weeks. However, U.S. officials have neither confirmed nor denied the loss of any drones in the region.
Broader Geopolitical Implications: Houthi Attack
The conflict in Yemen has broader geopolitical implications, as the Houthis receive support from Iran in the form of weapons, technology, and intelligence. This complicates the situation for the U.S. and its allies as they seek to counter the Houthi threats while avoiding a broader confrontation with Iran.
The ongoing tensions in the region have also been exacerbate by the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, which has further fueled the Houthis’ stated solidarity with the Palestinian cause and their motivation for attacks on international shipping.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Outlook
Diplomats are trying to resolve Yemen despite escalating carnage. UN-mediated peace negotiations aim to end violence and deliver humanitarian aid to people. Recent strikes on the Eisenhower US aircraft carrier and maritime security threats in the vicinity emphasize the fragility of the situation and the challenges facing international efforts to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. and partner military believe in international maritime navigation freedom and protecting commercial vessels from further attacks. Houthi allegations and possible reprisals will shape this complex and difficult struggle in the coming weeks and months.
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