In a tragic incident over the Red Sea on Sunday, two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down in what appears to be a “friendly fire” incident, according to the U.S. military. This marks a significant threat to troops amidst ongoing attacks on shipping by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, despite the presence of U.S. and European military coalitions in the area.
Both pilots were successfully recovered after ejecting from their aircraft, with one sustaining minor injuries. The incident highlights the increasing danger in the Red Sea corridor due to the activities of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
The U.S. military had been conducting airstrikes targeting the Houthi rebels at the time of the incident, but the specifics of their mission were not disclosed. The aircraft involved in the incident was identified as a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the “Red Rippers” squadron.
The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, according to Central Command. The circumstances leading to the mistaken identity are unclear, given the sophisticated radar and communication systems on board.
Despite ongoing strikes by the U.S. military targeting the Houthi rebels, the rebels have continued their attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have seized one vessel and sunk two others, resulting in casualties and damage.
The rebels claim to target ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. to bring an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, these attacks have also affected vessels with no connection to the conflict, including those bound for Iran.
In response to the escalating tensions, Israel has conducted retaliatory airstrikes against the Houthis. The situation remains volatile, with the risk of further confrontations at sea and in the region.
