In recent developments, Houthi forces launched a significant attack on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships in the Red Sea. On June 1, 2024, U.S. and U.K. naval forces successfully repelled the largest attack yet by the Houthis, which involved 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile. The USS Laboon, USS Gravely, USS Mason, and F/A-18 aircraft from the Eisenhower and the British HMS Diamond were involved in the defense effort.
This attack is part of a series of aggressive moves by the Houthis, who have been targeting international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea. The sustained assaults have kept the U.S. naval forces on high alert, with no reported damage to the ships or injuries to personnel in this latest incident​. The use of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and drones by the Houthis represents an evolving and dangerous threat, as these devices can carry explosives and travel at high speeds, making them challenging to intercept​. The U.S. and allied forces continue to counter these threats to maintain security and stability in the region.
