by Our Correspondent in Doha
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility on Thursday for a series of military operations targeting U.S. naval forces and an Israeli airport, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. According to a statement from the group, Houthi forces launched coordinated strikes against two U.S. aircraft carriers — the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson — as well as American warships operating in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
“We conducted a double military operation directed against the American aircraft carriers Harry Truman and Carl Vinson, as well as their warships in the Red and Arabian Seas,” the statement read.
The strike reportedly marks the first direct assault on the USS Carl Vinson since its recent deployment to the Arabian Sea.
In addition to targeting U.S. naval assets, the Houthis claimed to have launched a Zulfikar ballistic missile at a military installation near Ben Gurion Airport in the “occupied Jaffa region” of Israel, further expanding their campaign to include targets beyond maritime assets.
The Houthis also said they had downed another U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the capital province of Sanaa, continuing a series of drone shoot-downs in recent months.
Foreign Intelligence and Strategic Support
The statement came amid growing evidence of international backing for the Houthi campaign. According to multiple reports, Chinese government-linked satellite firm Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd (CGSTL) has been supplying the Houthis with satellite intelligence. The company has close ties to the Chinese military via Beijing’s military-civilian fusion initiative, which integrates private sector innovation with defense technology development.
This intelligence, reportedly shared as part of ongoing cooperation between China, Russia, and Iran, is believed to support Houthi targeting of U.S. vessels and commercial shipping routes — particularly in the Red Sea, a vital artery for global trade.
In March 2024, the Houthis reportedly assured China and Russia that vessels bearing their flags would be spared in attacks, suggesting a coordinated strategic alignment with U.S. adversaries in the region.
Chinese Military Equipment and Smuggling Allegations
Security sources and customs officials have reported multiple instances of Chinese-made military equipment being smuggled to Houthi forces. Seized shipments have included hydrogen fuel cells used in missile technology and drone propellers, along with communications equipment imported through Houthi-aligned military companies.
The Yemeni coast guard and Omani customs have both played roles in intercepting such shipments, highlighting the regional effort to stem the flow of advanced weaponry to non-state actors.
The latest attacks and international coordination underscore the Houthis’ growing role as a regional proxy force with increasing technical sophistication and geopolitical backing. Their actions threaten to further destabilize maritime security and commercial shipping routes through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, with ripple effects for global trade.
U.S., Israeli, and allied military officials have yet to publicly respond to the Houthi claims. However, analysts warn that the involvement of Chinese and Russian-linked entities may prompt heightened international scrutiny and a recalibration of defense postures in the region.
