Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a strike targeting the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. aircraft carrier, along with several American warships in the Red Sea.
The announcement, made by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, has intensified concerns over the escalating conflict in the region.
This claim follows a series of U.S. airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, prompting the group to vow retaliation. Below is an overview of the situation based on multiple news sources.
According to a report by The Jerusalem Post published on March 16, 2025, the Houthis asserted that their forces successfully attacked the USS Harry S. Truman and other U.S. naval assets in the Red Sea.
Saree, in a televised statement, emphasized that the group would persist in targeting American military presence in the region.
The Houthis also reiterated their commitment to maintaining a naval blockade on Israel, a stance they have held since aligning themselves with the Palestinian cause amid the broader Middle East conflict.
The group framed the alleged strike as a direct response to recent U.S. military actions, which they claim injured dozens in Yemen.
Al Jazeera similarly reported on the Houthi announcement, noting that the group’s leadership described the operation as a demonstration of their military capabilities.
The Houthis have increasingly utilized drones and missiles in their operations, targeting both commercial shipping and military vessels in the Red Sea—a critical global trade route.
This latest claim underscores their intent to escalate hostilities following U.S. and allied airstrikes aimed at degrading their weapons stockpiles and command structures.
A U.S. official, quoted by Al Jazeera on March 16, 2025, swiftly dismissed the Houthi claims as baseless. The official stated that no evidence supports the assertion that the USS Harry S. Truman or any accompanying warships were struck.
The Pentagon has not yet issued an official statement as of 3:43 PM PDT on March 16, but the rebuttal aligns with previous instances where U.S. authorities have downplayed Houthi reports of successful attacks.
The U.S. has maintained a robust naval presence in the Red Sea to counter Houthi threats and protect international shipping lanes.
Posts on X reflect a mix of skepticism and concern among users.
Some expressed doubt about the Houthi claims, citing a lack of verifiable evidence, while others highlighted the potential gravity of the situation, with one user noting that the Houthis’ rhetoric signals a willingness to escalate further.
However, these social media sentiments remain speculative without official confirmation or imagery.
Broader Implications
The Associated Press (AP), in a related report on March 16, 2025, contextualized the incident within the ongoing U.S.-Houthi confrontation.
The U.S. has conducted multiple rounds of airstrikes on Houthi targets in recent weeks, aiming to deter attacks on shipping and reduce the group’s military capabilities.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have responded by intensifying their operations, including drone and missile launches.
The AP noted that while the Houthis have claimed significant strikes in the past, many have been exaggerated or unverified, raising questions about the credibility of their latest assertion.
