The US has conducted a number of a “self-defence strikes” against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one unmanned aerial vehicle were targeted, US Central Command said.
Forces also shot down three drones launched towards the Gulf of Aden from areas controlled by the Iranian-backed militant group.
“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US navy and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM added.
The Houthis are part of an Iran-aligned regional alliance, which also includes Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
The group has launched near daily attacks against ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming to be targeting vessels linked to Israel in response to the war in Gaza.
But several ships have not had any links to the country and global shipping has been disrupted as a result.
This week three sailors were killed in the Houthis’ first deadly attack on shipping, when rebels hit the Barbados-flagged, Greek-operated True Confidence.
The US began an airstrike campaign against the Houthis in January, along with the help of the UK and several other countries, but they have failed to halt the attacks.
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