Houthis Claim Attack on Second U.S. Aircraft Carrier

The Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen claimed an attack on two U.S. aircraft carriers based in the Middle East, including the recently deployed USS Carl Vinson.

The attack follows a major U.S. strike against a Houthi-controlled port in Yemen, in which dozens were reportedly killed.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Why It Matters

The Houthis have carried out operations since the U.S. began airstrikes against their targets in Yemen on March 15. The Iran-backed group has disrupted a major trade route with shipping attacks since the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel in 2023, saying it was acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

What To Know

The Yemen-based Houthi group said Friday that it had carried out a military operation targeting the two U.S. aircraft carriers, the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson.

"This is the first targeting of the Vinson since its arrival in the Arabian Sea," the Houthis' military spokesperson said in a statement broadcast on Telegram.

There were no immediate reports of damage. Previous Houthi claims to have attacked the Truman had not resulted in damage.

Following the U.S. strike on Ras Isa, the Houthis also launched ballistic missiles at Israel. The Israeli military said the air defenses intercepted the missiles, according to The Times of Israel.

The group, also known as Ansar Allah, has vowed to retaliate against Israel in support for Hamas and citing support for the Gaza population.

What People Are Saying

Houthi Military Spokesperson Yahya Saree: "The American military buildup and the continued aggression against our country will only lead to further confrontation."

U.S. CENTCOM on X, Thursday: "Today, US forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years."

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, as quoted my MEHR News Agency: "The continued US military aggression against Yemen, the destruction of its vital infrastructure, and the killing of its Muslim population not only embolden the Zionist regime to carry on with its crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, but also fuel regional instability and pose a serious threat to international peace and security."

What Happens Next

The U.S. airstrikes on Ras Isa marks an escalation in the fight against the Houthis as President Donald Trump has vowed to destroy the group and restore maritime navigation. The Houthis are likely to continue attacks, though have so far not shown the ability to cause damage.