News Flash
SANAA, Jan 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The United States military on Sunday
dismissed claims by Yemen's Huthis that they had attacked an American
aircraft carrier, saying Washington would not engage in the Iran-backed
rebels' "disinformation campaign."
The denial from US Central Command (CENTCOM) came after the Huthis said they
had carried out the attack earlier Sunday and warned of "consequences" for
any retaliation during the Gaza ceasefire.
"The Yemeni Armed Forces warn the enemy forces in the Red Sea of the
consequences of any aggression against our country during the ceasefire
period in Gaza," the rebels said in a statement.
"They will confront any aggression with specific military operations against
those forces without a ceiling or red lines."
The Huthis, who have attacked shipping in the Red Sea throughout the war in
Gaza, said they targeted the USS Harry S. Truman and other "warships" with
drones and cruise missiles.
"The American aircraft carrier was forced to leave the theater of
operations," the rebels' statement said.
But a CENTCOM spokesperson stated: "We will not engage in the Houthi
disinformation campaign."
"As we stated during CENTCOM commander Gen. Kurilla's recent visit to the USS
Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Red Sea, the carrier has been operating
without interruption since it entered the CENTCOM area of responsibility on
Dec. 14, 2024," the spokesperson continued.
Part of Iran's "axis of resistance", the Huthis have repeatedly launched
missile and drone attacks on Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in
October 2023, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.
They have also waged a harassment campaign against shipping in the Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden, severely disrupting trade routes.
On Friday, the Yemeni rebels warned they would keep up their attacks if
Israel did not respect the terms of the ceasefire with Hamas.