The leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Abdel Malik al-Houthi, announced that the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman was forced to retreat 1300 kilometers north of the Red Sea after a clash with the Yemeni Armed Forces controlled by the Houthis. The statement was aired on the Al Masirah TV channel, where al-Houthi emphasized that this was the result of his group's successful attacks on the American fleet. According to him, the operation forced the United States to reconsider its military presence in the region, which is a "victory for the Yemeni resistance." 

However, open-source data, including satellite imagery and CENTCOM reports, contradict the Houthis’ claims. According to the latest reports, the USS Harry Truman’s position has remained virtually unchanged: the aircraft carrier remains in the northern Red Sea, providing support for American operations against Ansar Allah. Pentagon officials clarified that the ship has not left its area of ​​responsibility and remains combat-ready despite the Houthi attacks recorded in recent days. 

The conflict between the US and the Houthis has escalated since the US launched an offensive on March 15, when President Donald Trump ordered bombings of Yemen in retaliation for the group's attacks on military and commercial vessels. Over the past 48 hours, the Houthis have launched three attacks on the USS Harry Truman, using ballistic missiles and drones. According to Reuters, US forces intercepted 17 drones aimed at the carrier on the night of March 11, and successfully neutralized two missiles on March 18, preventing damage. The Houthis, in turn, claim that their actions forced the US fleet to retreat, although no evidence has been presented. 

The escalation in the Red Sea comes amid a wider regional crisis. The Houthis have linked their attacks to support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has resumed military operations, which they say justifies attacks on American and Israeli targets.