Houthi Rebels of Yemen Announce They Shot Down U.S. Navy Fighter Jet
We reported that the U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser, USS Gettysburg, accidentally shot down an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet belonging to the U.S. on December 22nd, early in the morning, in the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels of Yemen have announced that they were responsible for shooting down the U.S. Navy fighter jet during an attack in the Red Sea.
At the time of the incident, U.S. forces were carrying out airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. The U.S. has been conducting operations against the Houthis since the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group arrived in the region. The Houthis, who are aligned with Palestinians, have targeted nearly 100 commercial ships in the Red Sea since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October.
Due to the heightened tensions in the region, major shipping companies have altered their routes to avoid Yemen’s shores. This maritime route accounts for 8% of global grain shipments, 8% of liquefied gas, and 12% of oil shipments.