BSS
  20 Jan 2025, 11:36

US calls Huthi claim of new attacks 'disinformation'

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.