Red Sea Tensions Escalate: US Navy's 'Friendly Fire' Incident Highlights Growing Threat

A 'friendly fire' incident involving two US Navy pilots shot down over the Red Sea has highlighted the increasing dangers in the area due to ongoing Houthi attacks. The event marks the most serious military incident in over a year, as US forces respond to threats from the Iranian-backed rebels.

In a troubling development for US military forces, two Navy pilots were downed in a 'friendly fire' incident over the Red Sea, authorities confirmed Sunday, marking the most severe threat to troops in over a year targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Despite the harrowing event, both pilots were rescued, with only minor injuries reported for one. This incident underscores the perilous nature of the Red Sea corridor, which has seen ongoing attacks on shipping lanes by Iranian-backed Houthis.

The downed F/A-18 aerial unit had recently launched from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Central Command confirmed the USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on it, revealing a complex and dangerous operational environment.

(With inputs from agencies.)