Smoke rises after the US-led airstrikes on hit targets in Sanaa, Yemen, Feb 25, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

CAIRO - The US Central Command said the Houthi militants fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden, but it caused no damage to any vessels.

"The missile did not impact any vessels and there were no injuries or damage reported," CENTCOM added in a statement early on Thursday.

The United States and Britain have carried out several strikes against Houthi targets in response

"United States Central Command then successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial systems and one surface-to-air missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, it said, adding "it was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region."

Earlier on Wednesday, warplanes of the US-British naval coalition conducted four airstrikes on port city Hodeidah's airport in western Yemen, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

No further details or casualties were reported, but Hodeidah's residents near the airport said via social media that the strikes hit Houthi military targets.

Houthi militants have repeatedly launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden since mid-November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

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Their Red Sea attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa, and stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to destabilise the wider Middle East.

The United States and Britain have carried out several strikes against Houthi targets in response.