Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Harry S. Truman to remain in the Middle East for an additional week, ensuring the presence of two U.S. carrier strike groups to combat Yemen's Houthi rebels. This decision follows a previous extension in March to increase military pressure on the Iran-backed Houthis, with the Truman stationed in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Central Command has been conducting an aggressive campaign against the Houthis, with over 1,000 targets struck since mid-March under President Trump's directive to halt Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. The ongoing presence of two carriers is unusual due to logistical challenges and strains on personnel, but it reflects the intensity of the conflict and the strategic importance of the region. The Houthis' attacks, which had paused earlier, were in response to perceived Israeli actions in Gaza, significantly impacting trade through the Red Sea until the U.S. resumed military operations.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth extended the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman in the Middle East to maintain a strategic presence aimed at countering Yemen's Houthi rebels, indicating the U.S.'s commitment to addressing regional conflicts.

The USS Carl Vinson and its strike group joined the Truman in the region, marking a rare instance of the U.S. deploying two aircraft carriers simultaneously, a move generally resisted by Navy leaders due to its impact on maintenance and sailor fatigue.

U.S. Central Command, under Gen. Erik Kurilla, has been conducting a sustained military campaign against the Houthis, with daily strikes initiated since President Trump ordered an escalation in mid-March, highlighting the administration's aggressive stance on the issue.

The military operations have targeted over 1,000 sites in Yemen, reflecting the scale and intensity of the U.S. campaign, although specific details on the targets remain undisclosed, emphasizing the secrecy and complexity of military engagements.

Historically, the deployment of such significant naval power in the Middle East is uncommon, with the last notable instance involving the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, underscoring the strategic importance of the region and the current conflict's severity.

The Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial and military vessels in retaliation for perceived Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza, which has disrupted the vital trade corridor of the Red Sea, affecting global commerce.

The U.S. military's actions in the region are a direct response to the Houthis' prolonged campaign, which included missile and drone attacks on over 100 merchant vessels, indicating the high stakes and geopolitical tensions involved.