On November 8, 2024, the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a small boat carrying armed individuals attempted to approach a commercial vessel off the coast of Yemen. This incident was part of a larger scenario involving approximately 15 small boats in the area, located about 53 nautical miles southwest of Aden.

According to UKMTO, the crew of the vessel that reported the incident was unharmed and continued their journey to the next port.

Since October, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, designated as a terrorist organization internationally, has ramped up its missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden. These assaults have driven up marine insurance costs and led many international shipping companies to opt for much longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

In response to the Houthi threats and to safeguard maritime navigation, the United States established a multinational coalition in December 2023. U.S. forces have intermittently conducted strikes against Houthi military targets to deter further aggression.