US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in ‘friendly fire’ incident

Two Navy pilots have been shot down over the Red Sea in a “friendly fire” incident, according to the US military.

While their army was conducting airstrikes to target Yemen’s Houthi rebels, they accidentally hit two American pilots during the fire.

Both individuals were recovered alive, although one sustained minor injuries.

“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, which was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman,” Central Command said in a statement.

The US military did not expand any further on the details of their mission.

In its attempt to halt the war along the Gaza strip, the Houthi campaign has massively disrupted shipping routes, as many firms have chosen to travel a longer route around the top of Africa for reasons of security.

However, the Houthi leader had said earlier that “there is no problem for the Europeans, China and the whole world to pass through the Red Sea”.

He added: “The only and exclusive target are ships linked to Israel.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Labour accused of trying to ‘unpick’ Brexit with EU deal for free movement of young people
• British schoolgirl killed in horrific snorkelling incident
• ‘Shock and grief’ local community reels after fatal German Christmas market attack

MORE TO FOLLOW…