Iran-backed Houthis Claim Fourth Attack Targeting USS Harry S. Truman Carrier
The Houthis' military spokesperson announced a drone and missile attack on the USS Harry S. Truman, shortly after USCENTCOM reaffirmed its ongoing operations against “Iran-backed Houthi terrorists.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a fourth attack on an American fleet in the Red Sea within the past 72 hours, as tensions escalate in one of the world's most vital shipping routes.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Houthis' military spokesperson announced that cruise missiles and drones had targeted the USS Harry S. Truman carrier group. The attack is the latest in a series of retaliatory strikes since the United States launched heavy air raids against the Tehran-supported group over the weekend.
US Vows Continued Military Operations
Shortly before the Houthis' announcement, the US Central Command confirmed its ongoing operations against what it termed “Iran-backed Houthi terrorists.” The United States has pledged to respond with overwhelming force until the rebels cease their attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden—critical maritime corridors handling approximately 12 percent of global trade.
US airstrikes, launched on Saturday in response to Houthi aggression, have drawn protests in Yemen while pressuring the Iran-backed group to halt its attacks on vital global shipping routes. However, a senior US general stated that many of the rebel attacks have failed to hit their intended targets.
CENTCOM continuous operations against Iran-back Houthi terrorists…#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/ppggVK1Jgg
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 18, 2025
Houthis: Strikes Will Not Deter Support for Gaza
The Houthis, who identify as part of Iran’s broader "axis of resistance" against the United States and Israel, have been disrupting maritime traffic in the Red Sea since the beginning of the Gaza war. They claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians and have vowed to continue their campaign despite US retaliation.
"The US aggression will not deter the steadfast and struggling Yemen from fulfilling its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties toward the Palestinian people," the Houthis declared in a statement on Wednesday.
Houthis Fire Missile Toward Israel Amid Gaza Escalation
In a related development, the Houthis took credit for a missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, marking the first such incident since a January 19 ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The missile, which Israel claimed targeted an airbase, was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force before entering Israeli airspace. Air raid sirens were triggered in Beersheba and parts of the Negev Desert as a result.
The attack coincided with Israel’s resumption of large-scale military operations in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the renewed offensive, calling it "essential" for securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-controlled enclave reported that over 400 people were killed in the latest Israeli strikes.
Rising Regional Tensions
The situation in the Red Sea and Gaza underscores growing regional volatility, with Iran-aligned groups intensifying their military aggressions. As the US continues its military campaign against the Houthis, concerns are mounting over the security of global trade and the potential for wider conflict in the region.
With Iran-backed groups continuing their attacks, observers warn that their actions are fueling instability across the Middle East, obstructing peace efforts in Gaza, and endangering global trade by threatening vital shipping lanes.