Houthis Claim Second Strike on USS Harry S. Truman in 24 Hours

Yemen’s Houthis declared that it has successfully targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea for the second time within a 24-hour period. This claim follows a series of significant U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions that reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 50 individuals, including women and children, according to Houthi sources.

The Houthis asserted that their attack used a combination of 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside a drone. Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree characterized the operation as a “counter-escalation” strategy, aimed at opposing the U.S. military’s intensified campaign in the region. He emphasized that the group would persist in targeting U.S. military assets in the Red and Arabian Seas until American forces cease their assaults on Yemen.

The U.S. military’s response came on the night of March 15, marking the largest operation in the region since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. U.S. Central Command confirmed that the airstrikes, involving aircraft from the USS Harry S. Truman and other naval forces, focused on Houthi infrastructure—including weapons depots, radar stations, and air defense systems. American officials stated that the strikes were a direct reaction to a series of Houthi attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which pose a threat to global trade routes.

The Houthis Health Ministry reported that the U.S. strikes resulted in at least 53 fatalities, among them five children and two women, with over 100 others injured. The Houthis condemned the U.S. actions as a “war crime” and pledged to escalate their military efforts. In a televised address, Houthis leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi called for mass protests in Houthi-controlled territories, coinciding with the anniversary of the historic victory of the Prophet Mohammad in the seventh century.

This surge in hostilities in the Red Sea aligns with the Trump administration’s commitment to employing “overwhelming force” to counter Houthi threats to international shipping. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that military operations would continue until the Houthis halt their aggressive actions. He also highlighted Iran’s role as the primary supporter of the Houthis, warning Tehran of potential repercussions. However, Iranian officials, including General Hossein Salami of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have denied any involvement in the Houthi strikes, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urging the U.S. to cease its military operations in Yemen.