In the tense waters of the Red Sea, the conflict has escalated with Yemen’s Houthi rebels claiming they launched a missile attack on the US aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. This is said to be in retaliation against the recent US and UK airstrikes on Houthi-held territories in Yemen. Despite the serious allegations by the Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the US denies any such attack on its naval flagship.
The Houthi spokesperson’s claim came shortly after a series of airstrikes by US and UK forces aimed at degrading the Houthi capabilities to disrupt maritime traffic in the Red Sea. CENTCOM confirmed these operations, targeting 13 locations, which they stated resulted in the destruction of eight uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, in Houthi-controlled areas.
The Houthi movement, closely aligned with Iran, has been vocal about their support for the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict and has been responsible for over 50 attacks on shipping, as reported by the US Maritime Administration. Their actions have led to the rerouting of significant trade away from the Red Sea, increasing global trade costs.
In response to the escalating threat to shipping and regional stability, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2722, condemning the Houthi attacks. It was within this framework that Operation Prosperity Guardian was launched, spearheaded by the United States. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower played a critical role in this operation, providing maritime security in the Mediterranean and deterring potential adversaries.
Despite the claims of an attack on the Eisenhower, the US has dismissed the allegations as false. A defense official stated that there was no truth to the rumors, and no evidence has surfaced to suggest that the Eisenhower was hit or that missiles were even fired in the vicinity of the carrier.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 2, is a significant symbol of US naval power with its sophisticated array of aircraft and missile defense systems. The carrier has been active in the region, involved in high-tempo operations to protect shipping lanes and responding to threats. This includes, as noted by the British Ministry of Defence, targeting locations housing drones and surface-to-air weapons in Hodeidah and disrupting the Houthis’ ability to launch maritime attacks.
Iran has condemned the US-UK strikes as a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty, with Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani holding both governments responsible for “the consequences of these crimes against the Yemeni people.”
Relevant articles:
– Houthi Rebels Claim Missile Attack Against US USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Aircraft Carrier , Army Recognition, 06/03/2024
– Red Sea tensions: Yemen’s Houthis ‘attack’ US carrier after deadly strikes, Al Jazeera English, 05/31/2024
– Houthis Claim Missile Attack On US Aircraft Carrier: What We Know, Newsweek, 05/31/2024
– The Houthi’s wild claim to have struck a US aircraft carrier is pure fiction, Business Insider, 05/31/2024
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