US destroyer shoots down Houthi rebel drone over Red Sea

A drone launched from Yemen was shot down by a US destroyer in the southern Red Sea near several commercial vessels, the US Central Command said in a statement. 

USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer shot down the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in 'self-defence'.  

There were no reported casualties.  

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Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on cargo ships in the Southern Red Sea, disrupting international trade routes. 

Missiles launched from British, US and French ships had successfully intercepted previous Houthi strikes. 

As part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US has shot down several Houthi rebel targets. 

Operation Prosperity Guardian is a multi-national operation which began shortly before Christmas to deter attacks on commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. 

The Defence Secretary has warned Houthi rebels the UK will not hesitate to take "necessary and proportionate action" if they continue to attack shipping in the Red Sea. 

The UK along with 11 other nations, released a joint statement denouncing the Houthi attacks. 

The statement said: "Attacks on vessels, including commercial vessels, using unmanned aerial vehicles, small boats and missiles, including the historic first use of anti-ship ballistic missiles against such vessels, are a direct threat to the freedom of navigation that serves as the bedrock of global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways. 

"These attacks threaten innocent lives from all over the world and constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action."