US military destroy two 'clear and imminent' Houthi rebel threats in the Red Sea

The US Navy has confirmed the destruction of two Houthi vessels that were deemed to be an "imminent threat" to allied forces in the Red Sea.

The US Central Command action took place against the Iranian-backed group who have been responsible for targeting commercial shipping in the region.

"In the past 24 hours, US Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels in the Red Sea," said US Central Command.

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"These vessels presented a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region," the statement continued.

"This reckless and dangerous behaviour by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security."

Working alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, US forces and coalition forces have been deployed to the area to protect commercial shipping.

The Royal Navy's HMS Diamond was deployed to the region earlier this year and made some tweaks in her tactics to thwart Houthi rebel drone attacks.

The Type 45 destroyer shot down seven Houthi attack drones in just one day – a record for a British warship – and became the first Royal Navy vessel to fire Sea Viper missiles in anger.

The US Secretary of Defense has recently ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to be attached to the US Central Command in the region.