Houthis claim strike on US navy in Red Sea; US official says no damage reported

Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman and several accompanying warships in the northern Red Sea on Wednesday.

The attack was described as part of a “military operation” by the Houthis, who stated they targeted the vessels to prevent them from conducting operations against Yemen.

In a statement, the rebels confirmed that they used "winged missiles and drones" in the attack, which they claimed was a response to the US military’s presence in the region.

However, the American military has not verified the claims. A US defense official, when reached by AFP, declined to confirm the attack but stated that "all personnel are safe and accounted for" and that there had been "no damage to any US vessels or equipment."

This incident is the latest in a series of Houthi missile and drone strikes against ships in the Red Sea and other targets since the escalation of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted maritime vessels as a show of solidarity with Palestinians, while the US and the UK have conducted strikes against Houthi positions to safeguard the vital shipping lanes in the region.

Israel has also launched retaliatory strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

The Red Sea, a critical global shipping route, has become a flashpoint amid the ongoing regional tensions, with the Houthis asserting their military capabilities in response to international interventions in Yemen and the broader Middle East.