On Sunday, December 1, 2024, the Houthi movement, which is internationally classified as a terrorist organization, announced that it targeted a U.S. destroyer and three associated supply ships in the Gulf of Aden.

In a statement from their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, the group claimed that their forces executed a "complex operation" involving 16 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, aimed at the U.S. naval vessels in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis asserted that the strikes were "accurate and direct."

Earlier that same day, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported receiving notification of a maritime incident off the coast of Aden, about 80 nautical miles south of the city. In a brief statement shared on the platform X (formerly Twitter), UKMTO noted that authorities are still investigating the incident and advised vessel captains to "transit with caution and report any suspicious activity."

Since October, the Houthis have intensified their missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden. These assaults have led to increased marine insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for significantly longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

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