The US military on Thursday carried out “self-defense strikes” against four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one Houthi drone in regions of Yemen under Houthi control.

Between 3.35 and 4.55 pm local time (1835-1955GMT), US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for US operations in the Middle East, “conducted self-defense strikes against four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and one Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen,” said the US Central Command on X.

It added that the forces destroyed three drones launched from regions in Yemen controlled by Houthis.

“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” it said.

Yemen’s Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7, 2023.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

In December 2023, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation of a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter the Houthi attacks.