17.03.2025 08:51
Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen announced that the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. aircraft carrier, was attacked for the second time in the last 24 hours with ballistic missiles and drones due to intense assaults on the country. Houthi Military Spokesman Yahya Saree stated that U.S. fighter jets were forced to return after the retaliatory strikes.
The military spokesperson for the Houthis, Yahya Seri, stated in a statement that in response to the U.S. attacks on Yemen and on the anniversary of the Battle of Badr, the aircraft carrier located in the northern Red Sea was hit with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones as a result of a few hours of operation, "continuing the struggle of Islam against oppression and arrogance."
"U.S. AIRCRAFT WERE FORCED TO TURN BACK"
Emphasizing that the preparations for attacks on Yemen were thwarted, Seri expressed that U.S. fighter jets were forced to turn back as a result of missile and drone attacks.
"RETALIATION TO ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE"
Seri stated that retaliation against U.S. attacks would continue, drawing attention to the statements of Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi regarding the activation of further military escalation options.
Seri noted that the maritime blockade would continue until aid and essential needs were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that they would implement a naval blockade against Israel and would prevent Israeli ships in the declared operational area.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On March 7, the Houthis announced that they had given Israel a 4-day deadline to allow aid into Gaza, otherwise they would resume naval operations against Israel.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on March 15 via his Truth Social platform account that he had instructed the military to launch "a major attack" against the Houthis in Yemen. Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi stated that the new attack by the U.S. (on Yemen) would contribute to further enhancing their military capabilities, and they would respond to the escalation of tensions in the same way by escalating tensions.
Houthi stated that U.S. aircraft and warships would be targets of the Houthis, and as long as they continued their attacks, the maritime disruptions would also affect Washington. Iran-backed Houthis announced that 53 people were killed and 98 injured in airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and the U.K. in several cities, including the capital Sana'a.