US-British Navy carried out air strikes on Houthi rebels' positions, shot down its own plane

Sana'a (The Uttam Hindu): In the early hours of Sunday, the US-British naval coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen’s Hodeidah province. The attack targeted a site in the al-Luhayyah area of Hodeidah, according to local media reports. However, no further details or casualty information have been provided, and the coalition has yet to comment on the strike, as reported by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

The US Central Command confirmed that it carried out precision airstrikes on a Houthi missile storage facility and a command-and-control unit in Sanaa on Saturday night. Additionally, the US forces shot down multiple Houthi one-way attack drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea.

These airstrikes occurred just hours after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv, Israel, which injured 20 Israelis. In a separate incident, a US F/A-18 fighter jet was accidentally shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea during the coalition’s airstrikes in Yemen. Two US Navy pilots were ejected, and while one sustained minor injuries, both were rescued.

Since November 2023, the Houthi rebels have escalated rocket and drone attacks on Israeli cities, as well as targeted Israeli shipping in the Red Sea. In response, the US-led naval coalition has intensified its airstrikes on Houthi targets, continuing its offensive that began in January. Last week, Houthi military officials claimed that US and British aircraft had launched new offensives against Hodeidah, focusing on the strategic At-Tuhayta district. Specific details of the aerial bombardment remain unclear.