International
US Fighter Jet Shot Down In ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Over Red Sea
An American fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea in a suspected “friendly fire” incident, according to the US military.
The crew of the US Navy F/A-18 Hornet successfully ejected, with one crew member sustaining only minor injuries, US Central Command reported.
The incident followed a series of US airstrikes targeting missile storage and command facilities in Sanaa, Yemen, operated by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Additionally, US forces struck multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea.
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In a statement, US Central Command confirmed that the “friendly fire” occurred when the USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on the F/A-18, which was flying off the USS Harry S Truman. It remains unclear if the downed aircraft was involved in the Yemen operation.
The US strikes on Sanaa aimed to “disrupt and degrade Houthi operations,” which include attacks on US Navy warships and merchant vessels in key areas like the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden.
The US military also reported hitting several Houthi drones and an anti-ship missile over the Red Sea with assets from both the US Air Force and Navy.
The Houthis, a rebel group backed by Iran, have escalated attacks on international shipping since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, claiming to target ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK. Their missile attacks have sunk two vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, with further claims of targeting Israeli-related ships.
In response, the US, UK, and 12 other nations initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 to safeguard shipping lanes in the region.
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Meanwhile, Israel’s military reported that its attempts to intercept a missile launched from Yemen were unsuccessful, with the missile hitting a park in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
Israeli emergency services treated several people for minor injuries caused by flying glass from shattered windows.
The Houthis continue to target both military and civilian sites, vowing to persist with their attacks until the war in Gaza concludes.
The US maintains its strikes as part of a broader strategy to protect its interests and allies in the region.
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