SANA’A : The Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for downing a US F-18 jet in the Red Sea late last night, according to a statement by their spokesperson.
Yahya Saree, a spokesman for the Yemeni armed forces, stated in a video message that the Houthi forces successfully repelled an attempted American and British attack on Yemen.
The Houthi forces claimed to have launched a retaliatory strike on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, using 8 cruise missiles and 17 drones.
Saree asserted that the attack led to the destruction of an American F-18 jet, while other attacking aircraft were forced to retreat and defend the US carrier.
Following the Houthi strike, the USS Harry S. Truman was reported to have changed its position in the Red Sea.
Earlier, the US military confirmed that its Navy had accidentally shot down one of its own planes over the Red Sea.
According to the US Central Command, the aircraft, an F/A-18 Hornet, was near a US ship when it was accidentally hit by a missile from the USS Gettysburg.
The Central Command also stated that one pilot from the downed jet sustained minor injuries and was evacuated to the hospital for treatment.
An investigation into the incident has been launched by the US Central Command to understand how the friendly fire occurred.
