Houthi Rebels Claim "Successful Attack on US Aircraft Carrier"... US Calls It "Absurd"

"Claimed Success in Ballistic Missile Attack"
Lack of Specific Date and Attack Details Raises Doubts

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Yemen Houthi rebels, who have been indiscriminately attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea trade route, claimed to have attacked the U.S. military's state-of-the-art nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, drawing attention to the background of this claim. Although it does not seem likely that the Houthis alone have the capability to attack a U.S. aircraft carrier, there are concerns that if they establish a joint front with Iran and pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East, significant disruptions could occur in Red Sea operations even for a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group.

According to CNBC on the 23rd (local time), the day before, the Yemen Houthi rebels claimed through their own Yemen Al Masirah TV that they attacked a U.S. aircraft carrier. Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Houthis, announced, "Our missile units launched several ballistic and cruise missiles targeting the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the northern Red Sea. The operation was successfully carried out."

The Eisenhower referred to by the Houthis is the U.S. Navy's latest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The Eisenhower departed for the Red Sea last October with escort vessels and has been performing missions to protect merchant ships from indiscriminate attacks by the Houthis since January of this year.

Since November last year, the Houthis have attacked merchant ships and small military vessels more than 70 times, destroying two merchant ships and hijacking one, causing damage. However, they are not considered to have the capability to directly attack a U.S. aircraft carrier. The Houthis have not provided any specific details about the operation date, missile launch scale, hit confirmation, or damage level regarding their claimed attack on the Eisenhower, raising doubts.

The U.S. military has dismissed the claim as groundless. An anonymous U.S. military official told major foreign media, "The attack claims made by the Houthis are not true." The Houthis previously claimed to have successfully attacked the Eisenhower at the end of last month, but the U.S. military responded with complete non-engagement, stating it was not worth addressing.

However, there are concerns that if the Houthis unite with Iran or pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East, from whom they currently receive weapons, to jointly respond against the U.S. fleet, the U.S. military could face increased difficulties.

Brian Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Navy submarine officer, told the Associated Press in an interview, "The U.S. Navy is conducting its longest combat operation since World War II in the Red Sea. We have to prevent every attack." He added, "If the situation worsens and prolongs, the U.S. military will begin to suffer significant damage, while the Houthis' operational success rate will continue to rise and they will become more experienced."