Houthi Rebels Target U.S. Aircraft Carrier In Red Sea: A Military Alert

In a shocking turn of events, Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, almost succeeded in striking a United States aircraft carrier in the Red Sea earlier this year. This bold attack highlights the rising tensions in the region and the capabilities of the Houthis, who have increasingly adopted advanced military strategies. The incident, reported in the October issue of CTC Sentinel, raises critical concerns about maritime security and the potential for escalation in conflicts involving U.S. forces.

The CTC Sentinel is a publication from the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, established to provide insights and analysis on issues related to terrorism and military operations. In an article featured in this issue, Michael Knights, a prominent fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, detailed how the Houthis have achieved notable success in targeting naval vessels, employing impressive marksmanship with their weaponry.

One particularly alarming account describes the trajectory of an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) that posed a serious threat to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The missile reportedly approached at a very shallow angle, giving almost no warning and leaving little chance for interception. It landed approximately 200 meters (656 feet) from the aircraft carrier, demonstrating the Houthis' growing capability to challenge U.S. naval power in the region.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Central Command for comments regarding the incident, gathering information from American and British intelligence sources focused on Yemen. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which had been operational in the Red Sea. Despite their claims, a Pentagon duty officer dismissed the rumors, asserting that they were unfounded. Following the incident, images claiming to show damage to the aircraft carrier circulated online but were later debunked.

The Houthis' recent aggressiveness against international shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters escalated following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in October of the previous year. In response, the U.S. and its European allies dispatched warships to safeguard civilian vessels traversing these crucial maritime routes.

Utilizing a diverse array of weaponry, including unmanned aerial vehicles, surface vessels, and ballistic missiles, the Houthis have become a formidable force. They have effectively employed the ship-based Automatic Identification System to locate and engage targets, demonstrating their advanced military operations.

During what the U.S. Navy described as a "historic" combat deployment, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group expended a staggering number of munitions: 155 surface-to-air missiles, 135 land-attack cruise missiles, nearly 60 air-to-air missiles, and 420 air-to-surface weapons. This deployment underscores the intensity of military operations in the region and the ongoing threat posed by hostile forces.

The carrier strike group also included the cruiser USS Philippine Sea, destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, alongside nine carrier-based aircraft squadrons, which were further supported by destroyers USS Laboon and USS Carney. The defensive measures in place were crucial for protecting the aircraft carrier from potential threats, demonstrating the complexities of modern naval warfare.

In addition to the strike group, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is equipped with its own defensive systems, such as surface-to-air missiles and close-in weapon systems, which serve as the last line of defense against incoming threats. The U.S. Navy currently maintains one aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, in the Middle East, while another carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman, has been deployed to the North Sea, raising concerns about the military presence in the region and its implications for ongoing conflicts.

The situation remains fluid, with the Pentagon assuring that the U.S. maintains significant capabilities in the region. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, recognizing the critical importance of maritime security in maintaining stability in the Middle East.