Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea early Sunday in what the American military has described as an "apparent case of friendly fire."

The pilots, who were operating F/A-18 fighter jets off the USS Harry S. Truman, were safely recovered. While both were unharmed, initial assessments indicated that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser, mistakenly fired upon and hit the fighter aircraft. CENTCOM emphasized that the incident was not caused by hostile fire and a full investigation is underway.

This incident highlights the risks associated with ongoing U.S. military operations in the region, where Yemen's Huthi rebels have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, accusing them of being Israeli-linked.

Just hours before the shooting incident, the U.S. had launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen's rebel-held capital. In addition, American forces shot down multiple Huthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea.

The Huthis, who have expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, are aligned with the broader regional tensions.

[AFP Inputs]