An American destroyer has shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Yemen as it responded to a call for help from a container ship that was hit in a separate strike, the US military said.

The missiles were launched from territory controlled by the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, the US Central Command (Centcom) said in a social media post, describing it as the “23rd illegal attack by the Huthis on international shipping” since November 19.

The Huthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the vital Red Sea shipping lane with strikes they say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is battling militant group Hamas.

Centcom said the USS Gravely and USS Laboon — both destroyers — responded to a request for assistance from the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned and operated container ship that reported being struck by a missile while transiting the Red Sea.

While responding, the Gravely shot down the missiles, which were fired “toward the ships,” it said.