US shoots down missile from Houthi-run area fired towards warship

The US military has shot down a missile launched from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen targeting the USS Laboon in the Red Sea. The anti-ship cruise missile was neutralised by a US fighter aircraft off the coast of Hudaydah, with no reported injuries or damage during the incident on Sunday afternoon.

This event follows joint US-UK airstrikes in Yemen to degrade the military capabilities of the Houthi rebels, who have been posing a threat to Red Sea cargo ships. The strikes, conducted on Friday, targeted around 30 locations, including arms depots, logistical hubs, and air defence systems.

The US followed up on Saturday with another strike on a Houthi radar site.

President Joe Biden has said he would not “hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary”.