The United States Navy intercepted a missile and drone attack launched by Yemen’s Houthi group in the Gulf of Aden. The attack targeted three US-owned and flagged commercial vessels as they sailed toward Djibouti.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), two Navy destroyers, the USS Stockdale and the USS O’Kane, successfully neutralized a barrage of cruise missiles and drones. Additional support came from a US Navy helicopter and French Air Force aircraft.
The attack caused no injuries or damage, CENTCOM stated, reaffirming its commitment to protecting international shipping and regional security. The Houthis have been conducting such attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, reportedly as a means to pressure an end to the Israel-Gaza war, in which the US is a key ally of Israel.
In response, CENTCOM emphasized the threat these actions pose to trade and freedom of navigation, linking the attacks to broader regional tensions involving Iran-backed forces. The US military has been actively countering such threats, reporting 27 similar Houthi attacks on military and commercial vessels between November 2023 and January 2024.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing volatility in the Gulf of Aden, a critical maritime route, amid escalating geopolitical tensions.