In the shadowy corners of social media, a disinformation campaign has been unmasked, revealing a concerted effort to deceive the public about an alleged attack on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Despite assertions made by the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, that the Houthi rebels had successfully struck the US Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the Red Sea, evidence swiftly debunked these claims as fabrications.

Multiple images and videos proliferated online, purporting to show significant damage to the illustrious vessel. One picture circulated with a caption stating, “CONFIRMED: uss eisenhower (pictured docked for repairs in souda bay) hit and severely damaged by multiple houthi ballistic missiles. judging by extensive tent city developing on the flight deck, we assess it is unlikely eisenhower will return to service in the foreseeable future.” The post, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, suggested the carrier had been critically damaged.

However, these images were not only misleading but entirely erroneous. The photograph supposedly depicting the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower actually showed the Russian Navy’s Admiral Kuznetsov, a carrier that is currently immobilized, undergoing repairs in Murmansk.

This Russian flagship has a history of damage and has been docked far from the Red Sea, contrary to the message portrayed by the Houthi claims.

Furthermore, the Pentagon has categorically refuted the existence of any such damage to the Eisenhower. A Navy spokesperson reassured that the “USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) remains in the U.S.

Central Command region. The sailors and the ship are ready and postured to respond to any contingency at a moment’s notice,” emphasizing the ship’s readiness and the falsehood of the claims.

Amidst the confusion, Captain Chris “Chowdah” Hill, the commanding officer of the Eisenhower, maintained his poise and humor, posting photographs of everyday life on board the carrier, including a light-hearted visit to the ship’s bakery, directly contradicting the supposed dire state of the warship.

His presence on social media, along with other servicemen’s activities on the carrier, showcased the normal operations and the ship’s intact condition.

As these stories unfolded, it became evident that the doctored images were part of a larger disinformation campaign.

Some of the alleged footage was linked to Arma 3, a military simulation video game, highlighting the sophisticated nature of modern misinformation tactics.

Bohemia Interactive, the creators of Arma 3, expressed frustration at the misuse of their content, but acknowledged the challenges of fighting such false portrayals.

Despite their efforts to flag these videos, the rate at which they are uploaded makes it a Sisyphean task. They expressed appreciation for the Arma 3 community and media outlets that actively debunk these spurious claims.

The Houthis, who control a significant portion of Yemen and possess substantial military capabilities, continue to seek international recognition and legitimacy.Their propagation of these hoaxes is seen as an attempt to assert themselves as a significant force on the global stage.

In the face of this disinformation onslaught, the Eisenhower remains unscathed and vigilant, with its crew demonstrating readiness to protect freedom of navigation and commerce in critical shipping lanes.

Relevant articles:
– Does This Picture Show a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Damaged by a Missile?, The National Interest
– Fact Check: Do Photos Show USS Eisenhower Damage After Houthi Strike?, Newsweek
– Disinformation campaign uses fake footage to claim attack on USS Eisenhower, CBS News