WASHINGTON, (TDI): Two US Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea early Sunday in what the American military described as “an apparent case of friendly fire.”
Both pilots were rescued alive, with one sustaining minor injuries, according to a statement from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released late Saturday from its Florida headquarters.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region. On Saturday, the United States conducted strikes on targets in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, following a missile attack by Huthi rebels that injured multiple people in Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial hub. Emergency services reported more than a dozen minor injuries but no fatalities.
American forces also intercepted multiple Huthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea. The Huthis have voiced solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza as Israel and Hamas remain at war since October 7, 2023.
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“This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway,” CENTCOM stated.
According to CENTCOM, the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on and struck the F/A-18 fighter aircraft, which was being operated by Navy pilots from the USS Harry S. Truman.
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CNN, citing US military officials, reported that the downed fighter jet was not involved in the strikes on Yemen.
Mission Risks Highlighted
This potentially catastrophic error underscores the risks of ongoing US operations in the region. For over a year, the United States has been actively engaged in countering threats posed by Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, alleging links to Israel.
