Yemen: Satellite images published by maritime trackers revealed that the legendary American aircraft carrier, the Eisenhower, continued to retreat towards the northern Red Sea after being targeted twice by Yemeni Armed Forces within 24 hours last Friday. This historic move astonished global observers and drew widespread criticism of the Biden administration, which sought to keep the incident under wraps to protect the United States' reputation, as the attack on the Eisenhower represents a significant blow.

According to satellite images published by navigation trackers, the Eisenhower was seen sailing north off the coast of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, heading to the far north of the Red Sea, more than 1,100 kilometers from Yemen. The Eisenhower had noticeably repositioned over the past two days, moving from off the coast of Qunfudhah in southern Saudi Arabia to off the coast of Jeddah before moving further north.

This retreat coincided with two ballistic and cruise missile attacks and drone strikes launched by Yemeni Armed Forces on the aircraft carrier since Friday, in response to recent American and British assaults that resulted in the deaths and injuries of 58 civilians. This escalation prompted Sana'a to vow a "firm and deterrent" response, according to the Supreme Political Council.

The blatant retreat of Eisenhower has put the United States in an extremely embarrassing position after attempting to cover up the Yemeni attacks on the carrier through silence. Many activists have sparked a wide debate regarding Eisenhower's status following the attacks, leading Captain Chaudhary Hill to release a video to calm public opinion.

However, the video showing a fighter jet taking off from the carrier turned out to be an old clip from March, reinforcing suspicions that Eisenhower might have sustained significant damage from the Yemeni attacks.

Since the Eisenhower is one of the most crucial mobile naval and air military bases for the United States and a pivotal component in shaping Washington's military reputation worldwide, its unprecedented targeting by the Yemeni Armed Forces signifies the end of American military dominance over the seas, representing a significant geopolitical fall for the American "empire."

In this regard, Brandon Weichert, a geopolitical and military analyst and former congressional staffer and writer for the National Interest magazine, commented that "American aircraft carriers have become akin to sitting ducks, and the targeting of the Eisenhower is a warning example of what China could do to the US Navy in case of war." He added, "It's incredibly sad that we continue to invest in these carriers."

Weichert also tweeted on X, noting that the "USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has now maneuvered from launching strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen to anchoring off Jeddah in Saudi Arabia," pointing out that the Yemenis, with their arsenal of anti-ship ballistic missiles, have sent American carriers worth billions of dollars fleeing to safer waters, retreating towards the northern Red Sea out of fear of Yemeni attacks.

The American analyst noted that the world and US rivals "learned an invaluable truth" in the past days, which is that the American superpower, with its formidable naval capabilities primarily dependent on aircraft carriers, can be defeated and forced back to port with its tail between its legs.

He added, "We will lose American aircraft carriers. Everyone assumed the Chinese would deliver the fatal blow, but it increasingly appears that the mud-smeared Yemenis will do it."

Weichert further stated, "We have spent tens of billions of dollars on aircraft carriers. Now, insurgents armed with anti-ship ballistic missiles can damage the command deck of American aircraft carriers or even sink them."

These comments clearly revealed that the "silence" strategy adopted by the United States regarding the Yemeni Armed Forces' targeting of Eisenhower did not succeed and that Sana'a managed to deliver a multi-dimensional strategic blow to America by targeting the carrier.

Chinese media also showed great interest in the attack, expressing significant admiration and astonishment towards Sana'a's actions. A report published by the Chinese site Guanchao stated that the Yemeni Armed Forces' attack on the aircraft carrier "heralds the decline of the United States' global status," noting that "the Eisenhower did not sink due to the attack, but it has caused a significant problem; the dominant image of the United States has been destroyed."

The report added that "since World War II, no country or organization has dared to launch an open attack on an American aircraft carrier, which is a great insult to the United States."

The report considered that the Yemenis "pierced the spiritual totem of the United States, like pricking a balloon with a needle," pointing out that the insistence of some American media to deny the carrier was attacked implies "that the United States has surrendered and cannot do anything."

The report mocked the attempt by the carrier's captain, Chaudhary Hill, to cover up what happened by releasing an old video, stating, "The best way to prove the aircraft carrier is safe and sound is to hold an open day for the carrier and allow journalists from various countries to board and take a look."

It concluded by saying, "No matter what tricks the United States plays, it will not be able to remove the world's doubts," indicating that the Yemenis "spat in the face of the United States."

The report concluded, "Now that the United States has turned into a turtle, how long can it maintain its reputation? The United States has lost its prestige and does not dare to move, which is also seen by Arab countries and the entire world."

Translated by Almasirah English website