Yemen: The US Naval Institute has reported that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has left the Middle East, moving into the 7th Fleet area of operations and leaving the region without an aircraft carrier for the second time in over a year.

A recently released US military map shows the carrier now stationed off the Indian coast in the Indian Ocean, having previously been deployed in the Arabian Sea near Yemen's coast. This retreat follows an attack last week by Yemeni forces, who announced on November 12th that they had carried out two precision military operations targeting an American aircraft carrier and two destroyers in the Red and Arabian Seas.

Yemeni Armed Forces stated that the first operation, involving cruise missiles and drones, successfully struck the USS Abraham Lincoln as it prepared for hostile actions against Yemen. A second operation targeted two American destroyers, highlighting the Yemeni response to ongoing US aggression and its support for Israel.

Yemeni Resistance Alters the Balance

Military analysts suggest the Yemeni strike rendered Abraham Lincoln inoperable in its previous position, forcing it to retreat and disrupting its ability to launch attacks. This fate followed a similar one for the USS Eisenhower, which fled the Red Sea after a series of targeted strikes by Yemeni forces in May and June 2024.

The Eisenhower was hit four times by ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones, forcing it to withdraw from the Red Sea entirely. It remains under repair in Florida, with costs exceeding $1.3 billion, underscoring the scale of damage inflicted.

Roosevelt Carrier Avoids Yemeni Waters

The US had planned to deploy the USS Theodore Roosevelt to replace the Eisenhower, but it avoided entering the Red and Arabian Seas following Yemeni threats. Stationed in the Gulf for over two months, the Roosevelt never approached Yemeni-controlled waters, reflecting heightened caution among US forces.

A Blow to US Prestige

Military experts view the Yemeni strikes on US carriers, symbols of American power, as a demonstration of the capabilities and determination of Yemen’s leadership, particularly under Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi. The precision and impact of Yemeni weapons have exposed vulnerabilities in US military dominance, challenging the perception of American invincibility.

The retreat of Abraham Lincoln serves as undeniable evidence of the effectiveness of Yemeni resistance and the broader decline of US influence in the region.

Translated by Almasirah English website