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Yemen's Houthi group on Monday said they have launched a missile attack on a U.S. military ship in the Gulf of Aden.

On Sunday evening, "We launched a naval missile targeting the USS Lewis B Puller, a ship belonging to the American Navy when it was sailing in the Gulf of Aden," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement.

The Houthis, who began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, have said they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel, backed by Washington, is waging a military campaign against Hamas. The Houthis have also declared U.S. and British interests to be legitimate targets.

The U.S., who is leading a coalition to protect Red Sea shipping, has launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in an attempt to curtail the group's ability to carry out attacks.

It is unclear whether the missile strike on Monday hit the U.S. navy ship.

(Cover: In this image obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon approaches the oiler USNS Kanawha (background) for replenishment-at-sea operation in the Red Sea on December 25, 2023. /CFP)

(With input from Xinhua, AFP)