A small rubber boat packed with explosives pulled alongside the USS cole and detonated. This resulted in $17$ deaths, $38$ inuries, and massive damage to a U$.$S$.$ ship which almost led to her sinking in the harbor. While the target was military instead of civilian, the attack took place outside of legitimate warfare activities. The U$.$S$.$ military involvement in the region had concluded years prior, and this happened prior to the attacks that took place on September $11,2001.$ Many people see this event as a precursor to the attacks on September $11.$