Yemen’s Armed Forces engaged in fierce confrontations with US warships in the Red Sea for several hours and launched drone strikes on Israeli military positions near Tel Aviv, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Hours-Long Battle in the Red Sea
Yemen’s military statement described an intense, prolonged engagement with US warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. The clash lasted several hours, with Yemeni forces claiming they actively managed the battlefield as the skirmish unfolded.
The statement specifically accused the US of using the Truman to launch attacks against Yemen, prompting the retaliation. Yemen’s missile, drone, and naval forces coordinated their efforts, creating a complex, multi-front confrontation on the water.
The scale of the engagement highlights the region’s growing volatility. The Red Sea, a critical maritime corridor, now serves as a flashpoint between Yemeni forces and American naval power.
Drone Strikes Hit Israeli Military Sites
In addition to maritime confrontations, Yemen launched a series of drone strikes targeting Israeli military sites near Tel Aviv. The strikes focused on the occupied city of Yaffa, an area adjacent to Israel’s economic hub.
The Yemeni statement reported the drones “successfully achieved their objectives.” It framed the attack as an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israeli bombardments and blockades continue to fuel international outrage.
Yemen’s forces have repeatedly tied their military operations to the situation in Gaza, portraying their actions as part of a broader struggle against what they call Israeli aggression.
A Broader Regional Strategy
This isn’t the first time Yemen has expanded its military reach beyond its borders. The country’s forces have previously targeted key Israeli infrastructure and vowed to restrict Israeli-linked shipping routes.
Key elements of Yemen’s ongoing strategy include:
- Targeting military and logistical sites in Israel
- Blocking maritime routes connected to Israeli trade
- Responding to US and allied military actions with direct confrontations
This week’s strikes come after attacks on Ben Gurion Airport, where Yemen claimed to have fired ballistic missiles, including the hypersonic Palestine-2 projectile. The attacks aim to disrupt Israel’s air operations and push back against what Yemen calls “genocide in Gaza.”
The Bigger Picture: Gaza, Israel, and US Involvement
Yemen’s Armed Forces maintain that their actions are a response to Israeli and US aggression. The situation in Gaza remains central to Yemen’s rhetoric and military operations.
Following a brief ceasefire, Israel resumed its offensive, tightening its blockade and prompting renewed strikes from Yemen. The country’s forces say they will continue their operations until Israel halts its war in Gaza and lifts the siege.
For the US, the Red Sea clash underscores the escalating risks of military involvement in the region. With an aircraft carrier now directly engaged, the conflict risks drawing Washington into a broader, multi-front confrontation — one with severe geopolitical consequences.
The situation remains fluid, but Yemen’s bold moves signal an unrelenting commitment to what it frames as both national defense and regional solidarity with Palestinians.
