Houthis say they engaged US aircraft carrier 3 times in 24 hours

By Shukri Hussein and Ikram Kouachi

SANAA, Yemen - Yemen’s Houthi group on Sunday said it engaged the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and accompanying warships three times within 24 hours in the Red Sea.

In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said: “Our armed forces have engaged the American aircraft carrier Truman and its allied warships in the Red Sea three times in the past 24 hours."

He said the operations involved “multiple cruise missiles and drones.”

“For the third consecutive week, our forces continue to confront the ongoing American aggression against our country,” he added, vowing continued support for Palestinians until the war ends and the blockade on Gaza is lifted.

There was no immediate reaction from US officials.

On Saturday, the Houthis' Al-Masirah TV reported that US airstrikes targeted Yemen’s northern Saada province with seven raids.

Continuous US strikes in Houthi-controlled areas have killed dozens and caused heavy damage to public and private infrastructure, according to Houthi sources.

US President Donald Trump said March 15 that he had ordered a “major offensive” against the Houthis and threatened to “whip them out completely.”

The Houthis have targeted Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea using drones and missiles since late 2023. They said the campaign aims to support Palestinians in Gaza.

Attacks paused after a temporary ceasefire in January between Israel and Hamas. The group threatened to resume operations after Israel blocked aid to Gaza on March 2.