The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Monday that its forces successfully destroyed a drone belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.

In a statement released on X, seen by "Barran Press", CENTCOM stated, "Over the past 24 hours, US Central Command forces destroyed a drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen."

The statement added, "The drone was assessed to pose a clear and imminent threat to US forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the area."

Since November 2023, the internationally designated terrorist group, the Houthis, have launched a series of drone and missile attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the significantly longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

In response to the Houthi actions, the US-led "Prosperity Guard" coalition, which includes key participation from the UK, initiated airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in January 2024. The Houthis have since expanded their operations to target vessels linked to Washington and London, according to their own announcements.