FACT CHECK: Was The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Struck By Houthi Rebels?
The Houthi rebels claimed to have struck the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, an American aircraft carrier.
— العميد يحيى سريع (@army21ye) May 31, 2024
Verdict: Misleading
The Houthis did not provide evidence for their claim. Defense officials have denied that the Eisenhower was attacked.
Fact Check:
A Houthi rebel spokesman claimed in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the group launched a missile attack against the USS Eisenhower in response to recent airstrikes from the U.S. and British military in Hodeida.
The statement reads in part, “the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a joint military operation targeting the American aircraft carrier ‘Eisenhower’ in the Red Sea. The operation was carried out with a number of winged and ballistic missiles, the hit was Accurate and direct, thanks to Allah.”
However, there is no evidence that this attack took place or that the Eisenhower sustained any damage. Neither the video statement or the graphics provided evidence that the aircraft carrier was struck.
A Department of Defense spokesperson told Check Your Fact that the claim is “not true” and that “nothing happening to the Ike.” A U.S. Central Command spokesperson told Check Your Fact that they had no information on any attack from the Houthis.
DOD official tells me this is false information — there was no hit on the Ike or any attacks in its vicinity. https://t.co/TiXgO6uaYE
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) May 31, 2024
Furthermore, Captain Chris “Chowdah” Hill of the Eisenhower posted a video of “Captain Demo” on board the ship after the Houthi claim, signaling that there was no imminent danger to the vessel. (RELATED: No, Video Does Not Show The Taliban Shooting Down A Pakistani Helicopter?)
How about some more Captain Demo… pic.twitter.com/X2w7Xvq8r0
— Chowdah Hill (@ChowdahHill) May 31, 2024
The Associated Press reported that the U.K Defense Ministry confirmed the Royal Air Force conducted airstrikes in the Hodeida recently. The Defense Ministry said that buildings targeted housed “long range drones, as well as surface-to-air weapons.” Three U.S. officials told the outlet that the Eisenhower participated in the strikes.
The Houthis have made similar military claims in the past. In January 2024 they stated that they struck a U.S. warship in the Red Sea with ballistic missiles. At the time, the Pentagon spokesperson told Check Your Fact in an email that “those reports are false.”
Captain Demo told Check Your Fact “woof!” when asked to comment.
Elias Atienza contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: This article is based on available information. If more information becomes available, this article will be updated and the verdict may change.
