US military destroys Houthi radar site posing threat to coalition forces and merchant ships

The US military has destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi radar site in Yemen.

US Central Command said the site posed a threat to allied forces and merchant shipping in the area.

"This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure," it explained.

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It added: "In the past 24 hours, US Central Command forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi radar site in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

"It was determined the radar site presented an imminent threat to US, coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region."

Last week, US forces shot down three Houthi drones in self-defence of an "imminent threat", preventing US and coalition personnel from being targeted.

Earlier this year, the Royal Navy's HMS Diamond shot down a Houthi missile, with the incident standing as the first combat interception of this type in more than 30 years.