The US-led naval coalition in the Red Sea has thwarted a “large-scale” Houthi attack in the area, shooting down 15 drones that posed an “imminent threat” to merchant vessels and coalition ships, claims the US Central Command (CENTCOM), according to Al Jazeera.

The announcement comes as the Houthis step up their attacks on Israel, US and UK-linked vessels in the strategic waterway to show solidarity with Gaza, they say.

A US-led naval coalition has been operating in the waters since December 2023 trying to counter the Houthi attacks. US forces have also carried out strikes on what they say are Houthi weapons sites in Yemen, including hitting truck-mounted antiship missiles on Thursday, according to CENTCOM.