DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — On Sunday, two U.S. Navy pilots were downed over the Red Sea due to what has been described as a “friendly fire” incident, according to the U.S. military. This occurrence represents a significant danger to troops active in the region, given the ongoing military operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the past year.
Despite ejecting safely from their damaged aircraft, one of the pilots sustained minor injuries. This incident highlights the rising peril associated with the Red Sea, where Iranian-backed Houthi forces have continued to target maritime vessels, even as U.S. and European military forces patrol the area to provide security.
At the time of the friendly fire mishap, U.S. airstrikes were being conducted against the Houthi rebels; however, specifics regarding the mission of the pilots were not disclosed by Central Command. It was reported that the F/A-18 jet was launched from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Although Central Command recognized the Truman’s presence in the region on December 15, they did not clarify that it was operating within the Red Sea.
According to Central Command, the USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser within the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly engaged the F/A-18. The aircraft involved was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet from the “Red Rippers” squadron based in Virginia.
Questions remain regarding how the Gettysburg could mistakenly identify the F/A-18 as an enemy aircraft or missile, especially given that communication systems aboard battle group ships are typically interconnected through radar and radio links. Nonetheless, Central Command mentioned that U.S. forces had recently neutralized several Houthi drones and missiles, indicating the fast-paced and high-stakes environment where sailors must act rapidly in response to incoming threats.
Since the Truman’s deployment, U.S. airstrikes against Houthi positions have escalated, particularly aimed at mitigating missile threats directed toward Red Sea shipping lanes. The presence of American naval forces might rekindle aggression from the Houthis, a situation reminiscent of attacks experienced earlier this year when the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was involved in intensive combat operations, described by the Navy as the most severe since World War II.
On Saturday night into Sunday morning, U.S. warplanes executed airstrikes that reverberated across Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen. Central Command stated these strikes targeted a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility,” without further details. Meanwhile, Houthi-affiliated media reported strikes in Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida but did not provide specifics on casualties or damage inflicted. Observations indicated that some of the strikes were aimed at military sites located in mountainous areas.
Following the airstrikes, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that the rebels had launched a significant counter-attack involving eight drones and 17 cruise missiles. He further claimed, without substantiation, that the Houthis had successfully targeted the F/A-18, reflecting a trend of exaggeration in his statements, as he had also frequently claimed that Houthi forces struck the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower previously.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have reportedly targeted approximately 100 commercial vessels with missiles and drones. The conflict has escalated tensions significantly, resulting in tragic consequences. Reports indicate that over 45,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza, with no clear distinction made between combatants and non-combatants.
In addition to targeting maritime assets, the Houthis have seized and sunk vessels, leading to casualties among sailors. Many missile and drone strikes aimed at commercial and military ships have been prevented by U.S.- and European-led coalition forces operating in the Red Sea.
Although the Houthis assert that their targets are linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. as part of their efforts to pressure Israel regarding its operations in Gaza, many of the attacked vessels have shown little to no connection to the conflict, including shipments headed for Iran. Furthermore, Houthis have increasingly aimed their missile and drone fire at Israel itself, prompting retaliatory strikes by Israeli forces.