The US Navy's aircraft carrier strike group - which for months has launched decisive strikes against the Houthis in Yemen to protect military and commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden - will remain in the region for at least another month, according to US officials.

The US Central Command, Centcom, announced yesterday evening, Friday, that the Houthis in Yemen launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles, a drone over the Gulf of Aden, and 4 drones over the Red Sea. It reported in a statement on its “X” account that American forces destroyed 3 drones launched over the Red Sea and one fell into the sea.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin signed the order last week to extend the deployment of the four ships for the second time, instead of returning the carrier "USS Dwight D. Eisenhower" and its three warships to the country. The decision means sailors and the carrier's air wing will not return to the country until mid-summer, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are discussing a decision that has not been announced. Officials declined to provide specific dates.

The ships' normal deployment lasts approximately 7 months, and the ships departed their home port in Norfolk, Virginia, in October.

Austin approved the first order extending their deployment about four weeks ago. Austin had been considering the additional extension decision for some time.

Navy leaders periodically push to bring ships home in order to maintain the repair schedule and give sailors a needed break. However, US Central Command leaders have long argued that the presence of an aircraft carrier in the region is critical to international security, especially deterring Iran.

In recent months, the ships have played a crucial role in protecting commercial and military ships from a significant escalation in attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Officials say the US Navy's heavy commitment to the region sends a strong signal to the commercial shipping industry that ships can be protected as they travel the vital transit route through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

About 12% of global trade usually passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, especially oil, natural gas, grains, and everything from toys to electronics.