The US carried out airstrikes against “a number of” Houthi drones in Yemen on Wednesday, a US official told CNN.
These strikes are the latest in a series of attacks on Houthi weapons before they are launched against international shipping lanes and US warships in the region.
More context: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been stepping up their strikes on ships in the Red Sea, which they say are revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza.
The attacks have forced some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, which could potentially cause a shock to the global economy.
The Houthis are believed to have been armed and trained by Iran, and there are fears that their attacks could escalate Israel’s war against Hamas into a wider regional conflict.
CNN's Christian Edwards contributed reporting to this post.