US Central Command said in a statement that a US destroyer equipped with guided missiles shot down 14 drones launched by the Houthis in Yemen in the Red Sea, today, Saturday.

The statement stated, “In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanaa time), the American guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, succeeded in... The clash with 14 unmanned aerial systems that were launched as a wave of drones from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

He added, "The aerial systems were assessed as suicide attack drones and were shot down without causing any damage to ships in the area or reporting casualties. Regional partners in the Red Sea were alerted to the threat."

Earlier today, the United Kingdom announced that one of its destroyers shot down, on Friday night, Saturday, what is believed to be an “attack drone targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea,” at a time when the region is witnessing attacks launched by the Houthis in Yemen against the backdrop of the war in Gaza.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps wrote on the X platform: “Overnight, HMS Diamond shot down what is believed to be an attack drone targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea.”

He pointed out that the military ship fired a “Sea Viper” missile that was able to “successfully destroy the target.”

This comes as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed, today, that the attacks launched by the Houthis on commercial ships are “illegal and dangerous and must be addressed.”

The US military said on Friday that attacks from areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis hit two ships flying the Liberian flag in the Bab al-Mandab Strait yesterday, highlighting the threat to ships in shipping lanes targeted by the militia.

The Houthis attack ships in shipping lanes in the Red Sea, and launch drones and missiles at Israel. The Houthis said that they will continue their attacks until Israel stops its attack on the Gaza Strip.

About 20,000 ships take this sea route every year, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean.

In recent weeks, the Houthis have intensified their attacks near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is strategic for maritime transport, as it separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa and through which 40% of international trade passes.

American and French warships that were patrolling the area shot down several missiles and drones.