A recent security breach has rocked U.S. military planning as sensitive details of planned strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels were inadvertently shared in a group chat.
High-level officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and other top national security figures, were discussing targets, weapon deployments, and even a precise timeline for the operation when a U.S. journalist was mistakenly added to the Signal group chat. This leak provided hours of advance notice of the planned strikes, with details suggesting that the first detonations in Yemen were slated for 1:45 pm Eastern Time.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed, "The message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain." Despite the breach, the White House stated that President Trump maintains his full confidence in his national security team.
The security lapse has sparked outrage among U.S. lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time," while Senator Jack Reed warned that the handling of this sensitive material by the administration was both "stunning and dangerous." Prominent figures also aired their frustrations on social media, highlighting the risks of using commercial messaging apps for highly confidential communications.
As the investigation into the breach continues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in safeguarding sensitive military communications in a digital age. It underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and vigilant oversight to protect national security and maintain the integrity of crucial operations.
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U.S. officials' Yemen strike plans leaked in security breach
cgtn.com
