US Navy Pilots Shot Down in ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Over Red Sea

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

In a concerning incident over the Red Sea, two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down in what the U.S. military has labeled a case of “friendly fire.” The incident occurred while the U.S. military was conducting airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen. The two pilots were flying an F/A-18 fighter jet off the USS Harry S. Truman when the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on them.

Thankfully, both pilots survived the ordeal, with one suffering minor injuries. Central Command confirmed that the operation was part of efforts to disrupt Houthi operations in the region, particularly targeting their missile and drone activities against U.S. Navy warships and international shipping vessels.

The U.S. military’s Central Command stated that the incident did not impact their mission, and the pilots were promptly recovered. The operation also saw the destruction of multiple Houthi UAVs and an anti-ship missile. The Houthis, a group controlling much of Yemen, have been increasingly targeting international shipping lanes in the Red Sea in an effort to impose a naval blockade amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the complex nature of military operations. The U.S. military emphasized its commitment to safeguarding U.S. and coalition personnel and ensuring the security of vital international shipping lanes.