US intercepts Houthi missile fired from Yemen at American destroyer warship in Red Sea

The US military said its forces shot down a cruise missile fired at an American destroyer warship from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the latest clash over attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

"On January 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time) an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea," the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

US fighter aircraft shot down the missile near Yemen's port city of Hodeidah and there were no injuries or damage reported, according to CENTCOM.

The midair interception follows a series of American and British airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen that have drawn threats of a "strong" response from the Iranian-backed militia.