U.S. military accidentally shot down its own fighter jet over the Red Sea.

The incident involving the F/A-18 fighter jet was reported by the Central Command of the U.S. Armed Forces. According to their information, the aircraft was flying from the aircraft carrier "Harry Truman" when it was struck by a missile launched by the destroyer "Gettysburg," part of the strike group led by "Truman."

Both pilots were located. A full investigation is underway, the American command noted.

U.S. forces are deployed in the region to counter threats posed by the Iran-aligned Houthi group operating in Yemen. On Saturday, military forces again struck their positions near the Yemeni capital, Sana'a. Additionally, several Houthi drones and one cruise missile were shot down over the Red Sea.

A representative of the Houthi command, in turn, claimed that the American fighter was shot down by their fire. According to him, the Houthis attacked the American carrier group with 17 cruise missiles as well as drones. The AP agency notes that the Houthis' claims of having shot down the fighter jet are unlikely to be true. In the past, the group has repeatedly claimed to have hit American ships and other targets in the region, but these claims have generally proven to be exaggerated or outright false.

Since the beginning of a new cycle of armed confrontation in the Gaza Strip more than a year ago between Israel and the radical group Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization in the U.S. and EU countries, the Houthis have regularly targeted sites in Israel and ships in the Red Sea. In response, U.S. forces have conducted strikes on their facilities and weapon systems. In addition to the United States, other Western countries, including the United Kingdom, are involved in operations aimed at ensuring maritime security.