By The Media Line Staff

Two US Navy pilots ejected safely after their F/A-18 Super Hornet was mistakenly shot down by a US warship over the Red Sea on Sunday. The incident, described as “friendly fire” by US Central Command, occurred during heightened tensions in the region amid ongoing Houthi rebel attacks.

The aircraft, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, had just launched from the USS Harry S. Truman. Both aviators were recovered, with one sustaining minor injuries. Central Command confirmed the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg fired on the jet, saying, “This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway.”

The Red Sea has seen escalating violence as the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels target merchant and military vessels with missiles and drones. The US military reported intercepting multiple Houthi-launched drones and an anti-ship missile before the friendly-fire incident.

Over the weekend, US warplanes carried out strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including Sanaa and Al Hudaydah, targeting suspected missile storage and command facilities.

The Houthis, who have claimed responsibility for the downed F/A-18 without evidence, have frequently exaggerated similar claims in the past.

Israel has also been affected by Houthi missile and drone attacks, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing on Sunday to respond “forcefully.” Recent reports suggest Israeli officials may consider direct strikes on Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer, rather than targeting Yemen.