The United States military announced on Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed four drones launched by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, aimed at a US warship navigating the Red Sea.

According to a statement released by US Central Command on X, formerly Twitter, the engagement occurred at approximately 2am local time in Sanaa (2300 GMT). No injuries or damage to US or coalition ships were reported in the operation.

"These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels," the statement reiterated.

The incident follows a series of aggressive moves by the Houthis, including drone and missile strikes targeting vessels in the Red Sea. These attacks, which began in November, were purportedly conducted in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's conflict with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the escalating hostilities, both US and British forces have conducted strikes against the Houthis. The group has since declared American and British interests as legitimate targets, further heightening tensions in the region.

The new drone attacks by the Houthis against the United States come one day after the imposition of new sanctions by the US Department of the Treasury against the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and two proxy groups affiliated with it, the Yemeni Houthi militants, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as 11 individuals and entities supporting the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.