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An American fighter jet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea in what the US military called a “friendly fire” incident. Both crew members of the F/A-18 Hornet ejected safely, though one had minor injuries, according to US Central Command.
This happened after the US launched airstrikes in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, targeting missile storage and command sites used by Houthi militants, who are backed by Iran. The US also destroyed Houthi drones and an anti-ship missile over the Red Sea.
Central Command confirmed that the USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser, accidentally fired on the F/A-18 while it was operating from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman. It is unclear if the jet was involved in the Yemen strikes.
The US said its strikes in Sanaa aimed to disrupt Houthi attacks on US and allied ships in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden. The strikes included destroying drones and missiles using US Navy and Air Force aircraft, such as F/A-18s.
The Houthis, a group supported by Iran, control parts of northwestern Yemen. They began attacking ships in the Red Sea after the Gaza war started in October 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Since November 2023, their missile strikes have damaged or sunk ships, often targeting vessels linked to Israel, the US, or the UK.
To counter these attacks, the US, UK, and other nations launched “Operation Prosperity Guardian” to protect shipping lanes. Recently, a Houthi missile hit a park in Tel Aviv, injuring several people. Israel’s efforts to intercept the missile failed.
Israel responded with airstrikes on Houthi military targets, including ports and energy facilities in Yemen. The Houthis reported casualties and vowed to continue attacks until the Gaza war ends. The US has stated its commitment to defending itself and its allies.
Sources: BBC, OpenAI.
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