The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday its forces successfully engaged two unmanned aerial (UAV) vehicles in areas controlled by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on April 16.

“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

In November, the Houthis initiated a series of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a critical route for global trade, expressing support for Palestinians amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza.

In response, both US and British military forces have conducted retaliatory strikes against the Houthis. Consequently, the Houthis have declared American and British interests as fair game for their attacks.