The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
On June 5, 2024, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, the Head of Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah (Houthi) Supreme Revolutionary Committee published a post on his accounts on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) repeating statements calling for the release of video footage to prove that the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower had not been hit in the recent Houthi missile attacks.
A few days ago, on May 31, Yemen's Houthis claimed they had launched missiles targeting aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, stationed in the Red Sea, in retaliation for "American-British aggression" of multiple airstrikes in Houthi territory. One day later, June 1, the Houthis claimed a second attack on the aircraft carrier.[1]
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that multiple Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles (ASBM) were launched from Houthi-controlled areas, with no injuries or damage reported. USCENTCOM's statement neither confirmed nor denied the claims that the aircraft carrier had been hit.[2]
Shortly after, Al-Houthi took to Telegram asking for evidence that the aircraft carrier had not been affected from the group's missile attacks. He suggested that a media delegation be allowed to visit the vessel and report accordingly, saying that the "best way to provide accurate reporting would be a livestream." He continued: "When informed about the presence of a media delegation, Yemen and all heroes in all arenas stand ready to temporarily suspend activities to guarantee the safety of the journalists and allow them to do their job."[3]
An X post by a media outlet specializing in Navy affairs reads: "The Navy destroyed several missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi militants over the last month."
Al-Houthi responded: "It will soon arrive home for maintenance again."
On June 4, Al-Houthi delivered a speech during an event commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Dahyan bombing. That bombing occurred on August 10, 2018; Yemeni media reported that the Saudi-led coalition had launched a deadly airstrike targeting a busy market area in the center of Dahyan, in Yemen's Saada Governorate.[4] The aircraft hit a civilian school bus, killing at least 40 school children.
Al-Houthi reiterated the call to the commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, repeating: "The video clips you distributed are worthless. Therefore, we asked you, repeatedly, to allow a media delegation to visit the American battleships at a time of your choosing, and we are here committed not to strike during the delegation's visit. We suspend activity until it returns to shore safely."
[1] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Claims Missile Attack Against U.S. Aircraft Carrier in Red Sea, May 31, 2024; and Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Claims Second Attack In 24 Hours Against U.S. Aircraft Carrier USS Eisenhower, As Well As Attacks Against An American Destroyer And Commercial Ships That Violated The "Ban" On Entering The Ports Of "Occupied Palestine," June 2, 2024.
[2] Twitter, June 1-2, 2024.
[3] Telegram, May 31, 2024.
[4] August 10, 2018.
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