U.S. Navy Destroyers Intercept Houthi-launched Weapons in Gulf of Aden

Two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77), intercepted and neutralized several Houthi-launched weapons while escorting U.S.-flagged merchant vessels through the Gulf of Aden between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The destroyers countered three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three attack drones, and one anti-ship cruise missile during the transit. No injuries or damage were reported to the U.S. naval ships, the escorted civilian vessels, or their personnel.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that these actions highlight ongoing efforts to safeguard U.S. assets, regional allies, and international shipping lanes amid rising threats from Iran-backed Houthi forces.

The attacks occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which led to subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza. Since then, Yemen’s Houthi forces have targeted military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, particularly those perceived to have connections to Israel.

These disruptions have prompted global shipping companies to reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, opting for the longer journey around Africa's southern tip to ensure safety.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating threats to maritime security, drawing U.S. and U.K. retaliatory actions to protect global trade and freedom of navigation in the region.