The US military said it destroyed seven missiles and three drones in areas of Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels that presented threats to merchant ships and US Navy vessels, AFP reports.

Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea region since November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s conflict against Hamas in Gaza.

United States Central Command forces operated “in self defense” when they engaged and destroyed the anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as three weapons storage containers in Houthi-controlled areas, CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X, the former Twitter.

“It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM said.