The US military conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, US Central Command announced on Thursday.

“CENTCOM forces conducted four self-defense strikes against seven mobile Houthi Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles and one mobile Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile launcher that were prepared to launch toward the Red Sea,” said the statement.

“Additionally, during this time frame, CENTCOM forces shot down a one-way attack unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in self-defense.”

The “forces identified the missiles, launchers, and UAS originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region,” it added.

CENTCOM said its forces “subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles, launchers and UAS in self-defense,” noting that these actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer.