News - Yemen: The Yemeni military expert and analyst, Abed Al-Thour, confirmed that the recent Yemeni operation targeting the American aircraft carrier Harry Truman is exceptional in every sense of the word.

In an interview with Al-Masirah TV, Brigadier General Al-Thour stated that the Yemeni Armed Forces' operation was a “unique operation in terms of its preemptive nature,” referring to a previous operation involving the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln. That operation lasted eight hours, during which our Armed Forces managed to counter and deliver powerful, decisive strikes on the carrier, thwarting an attack expected from both land and sea.

He pointed out that we were facing “an exceptional operation, with the arrival of the aircraft carrier in the Red Sea and the execution of a military operation by air, utilizing all available resources, including destroyers and naval vessels.” He emphasized that the American enemy was taken by surprise, as the Yemeni Armed Forces were on high alert and ready to handle any military target. The aircraft carrier was also shocked to discover that the Yemeni army was present in the field, delivering this qualitative strike and preventing the expected attack, with the downing of one of the best American warplanes, the F-18, known as "the sniper" in American terminology due to its ability to take off and land on an aircraft carrier.

Al-Thour explained that the operation was so successful that the American enemy was thrown into confusion, as their early statements revealed panic and anxiety. They had expected that upon hearing about the entry of the aircraft carrier, we would be frightened and retreat, preparing to counter the carrier with appropriate measures. However, they were surprised to find that the Yemeni forces were prepared to confront it. The missile forces were ready with eight cruise missiles, all of which were guided, due to the large, fortified, and protected target, along with 17 drones.

He noted that the situation was completely reversed, with the Yemeni Armed Forces maneuvering in a professional manner at the highest level, causing the carrier to lose its ability to detect the source of danger and threats. The strike was delivered with high precision.

Al-Thour believes that the destroyers and aircraft carriers chose to retreat northward, with the destroyers surrounding the carrier to protect it until it could exit the territorial waters of the northern Red Sea. However, the Yemeni Armed Forces continued to strike the destroyers, causing damage to them. He emphasized that, from the perspective of the world’s armies, this operation is considered "the boldest, most efficient, and most powerful."

The recent military operation by Yemen’s Armed Forces marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. The operation, which targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its accompanying destroyers, is part of Yemen’s broader strategy to defend its sovereignty and deter foreign intervention in its affairs. The offensive was launched in response to a US-British attack on Yemen, which began the previous evening.

The Yemeni Armed Forces executed the attack with remarkable precision, utilizing eight cruise missiles and 17 drones to target the US-led forces. The operation was successful in downing an F-18 fighter jet as it attempted to intercept Yemeni missiles and drones. The maneuver forced many hostile aircraft to retreat from Yemeni airspace and return to international waters for defensive operations, signaling the level of coordination and readiness of Yemen’s military forces.

The USS Harry S. Truman, a symbol of American naval power, was reportedly forced to withdraw after sustaining multiple strikes from Yemen’s missile and naval forces. This marked a rare instance of a US aircraft carrier retreating under direct attack, signaling a shift in military dynamics in the region. Yemen’s Armed Forces have expressed their readiness to confront any further aggression from US, British, or Israeli forces, reinforcing their commitment to defending Yemen’s sovereignty at all costs.

The operation is also a demonstration of Yemen’s growing military capabilities, which have been increasingly showcased through advanced missile and drone technology. Yemen has further reinforced its strategic messaging with a warning to Israel and the US, declaring its right to defend its land from foreign aggression.

This military success is framed within Yemen’s broader regional objectives, including continued support for Palestine. In addition to its defensive operations, Yemen has imposed a naval blockade on ships heading to Israeli ports and has escalated its missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets. Yemen’s government has made it clear that these military actions will continue until the siege on Gaza is lifted, reinforcing their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian cause.