Why it matters:
This is the first time the USS Carl Vinson has been explicitly targeted by Yemen’s forces amid ongoing U.S. operations in the region. The attack represents a sharp warning to Washington and highlights Yemen’s growing military capabilities despite years of war and blockade.
What he's saying:
In an official statement read by Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, it was confirmed that a Zolfaghar ballistic missile was launched toward a military target near Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied city of Jaffa. Saree stated that Yemen continues to actively and responsibly counter what it calls "U.S. aggression" against its territory.
Key points:
- The Yemeni Armed Forces have significantly broadened the scope of their military operations, targeting high-value U.S. military assets such as the USS Vinson and USS Truman, marking a direct challenge to U.S. military presence in the region.
- Yemen deployed a long-range Zolfaghar ballistic missile near Tel Aviv and successfully shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, showcasing its growing missile and air defense capabilities despite being under siege for years.
- Yemeni leadership continues to frame its military actions as part of broader regional resistance, explicitly tying its operations to defending the Palestinian cause and responding to U.S. and Israeli actions in the region.
Go deeper:
Yemen’s continued military operations come in response to U.S. airstrikes and naval presence in both the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Over the past months, Yemen has increasingly aligned its messaging with support for Gaza, tying its regional confrontations with broader anti-Israel and anti-U.S. sentiments.
ahmad shirzadian
