Two US pilots killed in ‘friendly fire’ over the Red Sea – DW – 12/22/2024
A United States Navy ship accidentally shot down one of its fighter jets in a “friendly fire” incident over the Red Sea, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said late Saturday.
It was the most serious incident to affect the US and European military coalition, which are patrolling the area to prevent attacks on shipping by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
what do we know?
CENTCOM said the plane shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet with two pilots on board.
The aircraft were assigned to the “Red Reapers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
CENTCOM said the jets hit the USS Harry S. Truman was taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier when friendly fire occurred.
“The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, accidentally opened fire and engaged the F/A-18,” the US military said in a statement.
During the Saturday morning incident, two pilots survived after ejecting from their aircraft, although one suffered minor injuries.
It was not immediately clear how Gettysburg mistook the American warplanes for enemy aircraft or missiles, especially since the battle group’s ships remained connected by both radar and radio communications.
Centcom said a full investigation has been launched.
US military leads operation against Houthis
At the time of the shooting, the US military said it had carried out airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed Houthis, who were carrying out attacks against commercial shipping in the area.
CENTCOM said warships and aircraft had earlier shot down several Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels.
On Saturday, the army also bombed Houthi positions near Yemen’s capital Sanaa, hours after a Houthi missile injured people in Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv. Further American strikes were launched early Sunday.
More than a year after the attack on the Red Sea
The Red Sea has become a hotbed of military activity in the past year as US and European forces fight against the Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war.
The Houthis have targeted nearly 100 merchant ships with missiles and drones since the conflict between Israel and another Iran-backed militant group, Hamas, began in October 2023.
During that time, the Houthis seized one ship and sank two others in one operation, killing four sailors.
Houthi militants have also targeted Israel with drones and missiles, resulting in Israeli airstrikes in retaliation.
The US and Europe sent military groups to the Red Sea late last year to patrol the region and maintain security.
Earlier this year, another US aircraft carrier group, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, saw what the Navy described as its most intense combat since World War II.
mm/sms (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)