The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower leaves the Red Sea as Houthi attacks continue: NPR

The US aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as “IKE”, sails into the Red Sea on June 12, 2024.

Bernat Armangue/AP

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Bernat Armangue/AP

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which led the response to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, is returning home.

The US Central Command announced that the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt will depart for the Middle East to maintain its presence in the region.

The Eisenhower was deployed to the region more than seven months ago – just weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier played a key role in protecting commercial and military ships from the Houthis, the Iran-backed rebel group.

“With over 30,000 flight hours and over 55,000 miles flown, the IKE CSG has demonstrated our commitment to regional stability and protecting freedom of navigation throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Central Command wrote on X, referring to the Eisenhower.

“The IKE CSG has also fulfilled its obligation to ensure the safety of all seafarers and has rescued seafarers in distress on several occasions following unprovoked attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on innocent seafarers,” the Central Command added.

His withdrawal comes amid increasing attacks by Houthi rebels. Last week, the Tutor, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned and operated vessel, was sunk by a Houthi attack, killing a sailor on board. The Associated Press reported this.

The latest attack occurred on Saturday, when an unidentified merchant ship was attacked in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was not hit and the crew was safe, the U.S.-monitored Joint Maritime Information Center said, according to AP.