SANA’A, Yemen – The Yemen-based Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, has escalated its involvement in regional conflicts by claiming responsibility for attacks on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and Israeli targets.
These developments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, Houthi-aligned Almasirah broadcaster reported that the group launched two ballistic missiles targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
While the impact of the missiles remains unconfirmed by Israeli authorities, the move underscores the Houthis’ broader regional ambitions and solidarity with other anti-Israel actors.
In addition, the Houthis claimed they attacked the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and other warships in the Red Sea using missiles and drones.
This marks a bold escalation, as the group directly challenges U.S. military assets in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) responded by releasing a video on X showing fighter jets taking off, accompanied by the caption “Give ’em Hell Harry,” in what appears to be a direct reference to the USS Harry S. Truman.
Over the weekend, the U.S. conducted extensive airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in northern and central Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.
According to the Houthis, the strikes resulted in more than 50 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries.
The Houthi movement retaliated with their attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman and Israeli targets, claiming it as a response to U.S. airstrikes.
The group’s increasing use of drones and ballistic missiles highlights their expanding military capabilities, likely bolstered by their alliance with Iran.
The Houthi strikes reflect a significant escalation in the region’s conflicts, tying Yemen’s internal strife to broader geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The group’s targeting of Israel with ballistic missiles suggests alignment with Palestinian causes amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza, while its attacks on U.S. naval assets underline its defiance of American military interventions.
The situation in Yemen and the surrounding region continues to deteriorate, with fears of a wider conflict involving multiple state and non-state actors.
The Houthis’ actions and the U.S. response have raised the stakes, further complicating efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
With missile and drone capabilities increasingly in the hands of non-state actors, the risk of miscalculation or unintended escalation remains high.
Both the U.S. and its allies are likely to strengthen their defenses and consider additional measures to counter these growing threats.
