US-Yemen Air Strikes: Houthis Claim to Shoot Down American F-18 Jet Amid Escalating Conflict
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated further as Houthi rebels in Yemen made a dramatic claim in response to ongoing American airstrikes. According to their statement, the Houthis successfully shot down a U.S. Navy F-18 fighter jet during an assault on the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman operating in the Red Sea.
Houthis Make Bold Statement Amid Ongoing U.S. Strikes
Amid a sustained air campaign by the United States targeting Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen—especially in and around the capital Sanaa—the Iran-backed Houthi movement has alleged that an F-18 Super Hornet crashed into the Red Sea. The incident reportedly took place during a counter-attack launched by the Houthis against U.S. naval assets.
According to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sariya, the fighter jet went down while the Houthis were attacking the USS Harry S. Truman, forcing the American vessel to retreat toward the Suez Canal. Sariya further claimed that the USS Carl Vinson and its escort ships were also attacked in the Arabian Sea using armed drones. In addition, he announced that Houthi forces had carried out drone strikes targeting unspecified military sites in the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon.
U.S. Navy Confirms Jet Went Missing, Denies Shootdown
Responding to the claim, the U.S. Navy acknowledged that an F/A-18E Super Hornet was indeed lost at sea, but offered a different account of the incident. Military officials stated that the aircraft fell into the water while being moved into the hangar bay of the USS Harry S. Truman. A sudden evasive maneuver made by the carrier to avoid incoming threats allegedly caused the mishap. The Navy clarified that the jet, along with the tow tractor used for maneuvering it, plunged into the sea and could not be recovered. The missing aircraft was part of Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136).
Over 800 U.S. Airstrikes Since March
The incident occurred amid an intensified American military campaign in Yemen. Since March 15, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has carried out over 800 airstrikes targeting Houthi positions across Yemen. These operations are aimed at neutralizing the Houthi threat to commercial shipping routes and protecting American interests in the region.
Washington has emphasized that its ongoing military actions are intended to preserve freedom of navigation, particularly in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden, where Houthi attacks on maritime traffic have become more frequent and dangerous.
Accusations Against Iran
The international community, particularly the United States, has long accused Iran of arming and supporting the Houthis, providing them with advanced weaponry and training. The Houthis are aligned with the Zaidi Shia sect, a minority group that ruled parts of Yemen for centuries until the 1960s. Iran, however, has consistently denied involvement, labeling such accusations as politically motivated.
Following the eruption of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Houthis have significantly stepped up their military activities, claiming solidarity with the Palestinian cause. They have launched numerous attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, reportedly damaging or sinking several ships and causing the deaths of at least four sailors.
