US shoots down two Houthi drones hours after three killed & ship abandoned in first fatal strike by Iran-backed rebels

US has shot down two Houthi drones after three people were killed in the first fatal attack by the Iran-backed rebels.

US Central Command has announced the US Aircraft has blasted the "Suicide" drones in Western Yemen.

Yesterday, the Houthi rebels launched an attack on Greek-owned, Barbados-flagged freighter True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden.

Three seafarers are understood have died and at least four were injured.

Survivors were forced to abandon the vessel in lifeboats, a US official said.

It is the first fatal attack since the Iran-backed group began strikes against shipping in one of the world's busiest trade lanes.

In retaliation, the US military has conducted self-defence strikes against two Houthi missiles that presented an "imminent threat".

In a post on X today, the US Central Command wrote: "These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels."

The Houthis have been relentlessly attacking ships in the Red Sea since November over the ongoing war in Gaza.

In response, Britain and the United States have been launching strikes against the rebels.

Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed the latest deadly attack in a pre-recorded message and said the rebels' missile fire would only stop when "siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted".

In a statement shared to X in response to the Houthi claim, Britain’s embassy wrote: "At least two innocent sailors have died. This was the sad but inevitable consequence of the Houthis recklessly firing missiles at international shipping. They must stop.

"Our deepest condolences are with the families of those that have died and those that were wounded."

The Greek operators of the True Confidence reported that the ship was on fire and no information was available about the 20 crew members and three guards on board.