Washington:

The U.S. military said on Wednesday it shot down four drones launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and targeted a U.S. warship.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement posted on It added that no casualties or damage to property or coalition ships were reported to the United States.

“It has been determined that these weapons pose an imminent threat to commercial vessels and U.S. Navy vessels in the area,” the statement said.

“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for U.S. naval and commercial vessels,” the statement added.

In November, the Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a key region for world trade and have claimed solidarity with the Palestinians during Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

U.S. and British troops launched strikes against the Houthis, who later declared U.S. and British interests also legitimate targets.

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