The US armed forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen and destroyed two drones and three anti-ship cruise missiles, the US Central Military Command (CENTCOM) announced today, as quoted by Reuters and BTA.
Earlier, Iran-linked Yemeni rebels said they attacked a cargo ship and two US destroyers in the Red Sea yesterday.
The CENTCOM statement said the weapons destroyed posed a "clear and immediate threat to US and coalition forces, as well as vessels in the region". "Reckless and dangerous behavior" of the Houthis threatens regional stability, the text also says, without disclosing details or confirming the claims that US Navy destroyers were attacked.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sariyah said yesterday Yemeni rebels sent drones against the US destroyer "Cole" and fired several ballistic missiles against another squadron destroyer - "Labun". The Houthis also attacked the Liberian-flagged container ship "Ono" with drones and missiles, he added.
The ship's own company told Reuters that the vessel had not been hit and that the crew was safe.
A US official said there was no evidence to support Houthi claims that the two US warships had been attacked.