Illustrative image.
The Houthis (Ansar Allah) attacked a United States aircraft carrier on November 12 following a series of American strikes on Yemen.
The strikes on Yemen were carried out by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and targeted multiple weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder.
“These facilities housed a variety of advanced conventional weapons used by the Iran-backed Houthis to target U.S. and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Ryder said.
He stated that both Air Force and Navy assets, including F-35C fighter jets, were involved in the strikes, which were in response to Houthi attacks on commercial, U.S. and coalition vessels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden.
“As you’ve heard us say before, we will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks,” Ryder added.
Video footage released by CENTCOM showed fighter jets taking off from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to conduct the strikes on Yemen.
Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/8Y4yqsAepd
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2024
Following the strikes, the Houthis announced that they had thwarted an attack by the U.S. and struck warships in the Red and Arabian Seas.
“The Yemeni armed forces carried out two major military operations in the Red and Arabian Seas, lasting eight hours and successfully hitting their targets,” group spokesman Brigade General Yahya Saree said in a televised statement.
He stated that the first operation targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea with multiple cruise missiles and drones.
“The attack on the carrier occurred while the U..S enemy forces were preparing for hostile operations against our country,” said Saree.
The second hit two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea with missiles and drones, the spokesman said, affirming that both warships were hit.
“The aggression against Yemen is part of the US-British defense of Israeli interests and will only lead to more operations,” he added.
Later, Pentagon Press Secretary Ryder denied that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier had come under attack in the Arabian Sea.
“To my knowledge, not aware of any attacks against the Abraham Lincoln,” Ryder told the reporters.
Ryder however said that CENTCOM forces “successfully repelled multiple Iranian-backed Houthi attacks” during a transit of the Bab al-Mandab Strait on November 11.
During the transit, he stated that the destroyers, the USS Stockdale and the USS Spruance, were “attacked by at least eight one-way attacks, uncrewed aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles.”
“The vessels were not damaged, no personnel were hurt,” he said.
“CENTCOM forces retain the inherent right of self-defense, as I highlighted earlier, will take appropriate steps to protect our personnel,” Ryder added.
Since November of last year, the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have attacked dozens of vessels affiliated with Israel or owned by the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in response to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
The group also launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel and shot down at least 12 American-made combat drones over Yemen and nearby waters.
The U.S. and the UK have carried out hundreds of strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen since January. Israel also launched two waves of strikes against civilian infrastructure in al-Hodeidah in July and September. However, the aerial campaign has so far failed to deter the group or degrade its military capabilities.
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