The US conducted seven strikes against 11 Houthi sea drones and missiles in Yemen late last night, the military says.

The “self-defence” operation targeted four unmanned surface vessels and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea, according to Central Command.

It said they presented “an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region”.

Explained: Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who control swathes of Yemen, have repeatedly attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the start of the war.

Joe Biden said last month that strikes on Houthi targets would continue even as he acknowledged they may not be halting their attacks.