The European Union's naval mission, tasked with protecting ships in the Red Sea, announced on Sunday, July 14, 2024, that its frigate "Basara" had destroyed a drone in the Gulf of Aden.

The mission, known as "Aspides," began in February to counter drone and missile attacks on ships in the region launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Since last November, the Houthis, designated as a terrorist group by several countries, have continued their missile and drone attacks against commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of the African continent.

To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. Meanwhile, U.S. forces have conducted occasional strikes against Houthi military targets.

Since January 12, U.S. and British airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground have totaled approximately 560, resulting in the deaths of 58 and injuries to 86, according to the Houthis.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western airstrikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces in recapturing Hodeidah, its ports, and other areas controlled by the group.

Despite the Houthis' continued maritime attacks, only three out of 162 ships they claim to have targeted since last November have reported serious incidents or damage.