A U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jet was downed by friendly fire over the Red Sea, as claimed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday.

The aircraft, which had taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman operating in the Red Sea, was reportedly “mistakenly fired at” by the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser that had only recently been deployed to the region.

Both pilots ejected during the incident, with one sustaining minor injuries. While CENTCOM has acknowledged the mistake, details surrounding the circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Council, has called out CENTCOM for failing to disclose the true cause of the downing of the U.S. fighter jet. Al-Houthi said that the U.S. military was deliberately concealing the facts to avoid further harm to the morale of its forces in the region. He further emphasized that Yemen’s operations in support of Gaza will continue, regardless of the ongoing aggression against Yemen, and condemned the U.S. for its role in the conflict.

The downing of the fighter jet comes amidst increasing tensions in Yemen. On Saturday evening, a violent explosion shook the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, followed by reports of intensified airstrikes. Local sources confirmed that two airstrikes targeted Mount Attan, south of the city, raising concerns over further aggression.

CENTCOM issued a statement justifying the airstrikes, claiming they targeted Ansar Allah's missile storage and a command-and-control facility. However, the timing of the incident and the involvement of U.S. military assets have raised questions about the true intentions behind these actions.

Despite CENTCOM’s claims, which included the assertion that the downed F/A-18 was not part of the aggression against Sanaa, the fact remains that U.S. forces have consistently escalated their presence in the region, contributing to the destruction and suffering of Yemenis. CENTCOM also reported shooting down multiple Yemeni UAVs and an anti-ship missile over the Red Sea, as part of operations involving both U.S. Air Force and Navy assets, including F/A-18s.

This friendly fire incident further highlights the growing complexity of U.S. military actions in the region, and raises significant questions about the narrative being pushed by CENTCOM. Yemen remains resolute in its resistance against foreign aggression, continuing its support for Gaza while facing ongoing hostility from the U.S. and its allies. (ILKHA)