Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for two missile and drone attacks on an American aircraft carrier group in the Red Sea, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Houthis said the strikes were in retaliation for US airstrikes in Yemen, which recently killed at least 53 civilians.
The first attack targeted the USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships, with the Houthis launching 18 missiles and a drone. Hours later, a second round of strikes was announced. While the US has not yet responded to these claims, a Houthi spokesperson called the attacks a direct response to “continued American aggression” and stated they aimed to send a clear message to Washington.
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This escalation follows US airstrikes on Yemeni targets, including a cotton factory and the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli ship seized by the Houthis. The strikes, according to Houthi reports, killed civilians, including women and children, sparking outrage within Yemen.
The United States, under President Trump, has vowed to intensify military action against the Houthis, with National Security Advisor Michael Waltz confirming that recent strikes targeted and eliminated multiple Houthi leaders. Despite these efforts, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi has called for nationwide protests, framing the attacks as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The conflict has also drawn in international actors, with Iran expressing support for the Houthis and condemning the US airstrikes. The situation has disrupted key shipping routes in the Red Sea, with the United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further economic and humanitarian fallout.
As the war in Yemen continues, the violence has exacerbated the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with countless deaths and millions of civilians displaced.
