Washington, 6 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) – US military forces hit targets linked to Yemen's Houthi movement after the Iran-backed militants directed their fire toward a US Navy ship in the Red Sea, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

US-led air and naval barrages have been striking Houthi locations on-and-off for weeks.

CENTCOM said that on Tuesday it "shot down one anti-ship ballistic missile and three one-way attack unmanned aerial systems" launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the USS Carney.

There were no injuries or damage to the ship.

Later on Tuesday, US forces destroyed a further three missiles and three sea drones in Yemen. CENTCOM said in a statement they "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region."

The Islamist militia has vowed to attack ships in the Red Sea linked to Israel. However, many of the ships that have come under fire have no connection to the country.

The Houthis say they want to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, which followed the unprecedented massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in Israel on October 7.

In view of the dangers, major shipping companies are avoiding the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe and sailing around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Photo: CENTCOM