The US military says its forces have destroyed an anti-ship missile that Houthi rebels were preparing to launch toward the Gulf of Aden.

The US Central Command said that the operation took place on Saturday at around 4:00 a.m. local time.

It said the US forces determined that the missile posed a threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.

The Central Command added that the "action will make international waters safer and more secure."

On the previous day, it destroyed three anti-ship missiles that the Houthis had aimed at the southern Red Sea and were preparing to launch.

Despite the US strikes, the Houthis are continuing to conduct attacks on vessels in the region.