US forces shot down Houthi drones over Red Sea: CENTCOM

US forces shot down eight drones near Yemen and destroyed four more on the ground, the US military has said, announcing a number of incidents from the previous day.

A US Navy destroyer shot down one drone Friday morning while F/A-18 warplanes and another ship downed seven later in the day, Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X.

US forces destroyed four more before they could be launched, CENTCOM also said.

The four drones destroyed on the ground belonged to the Houthis, the command said, but did not identify the ones shot out of the air.

“These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy vessels and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM said.

The Houthis have been targeting Red Sea shipping since November, hitting Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The US and UK forces have responded with attacks against the Yemeni group.