SANAA - The US Central Command on Friday said its naval forces in the Red Sea had intercepted three bomb-laden drones launched by the Houthi group in Yemen.

"In the past 24 hours, US Central Command forces successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the Red Sea and one UAV in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen," it said in a post on the social media platform X.

"It was determined these UAVs presented a clear and imminent threat to the US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region," it added.

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Early on Friday, the Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacking a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden and the Greek-flagged MV SOUNION oil tanker in the Red Sea, using missiles, boats and drones.

"In support of Palestinians in Gaza and in response to American-British aggression against our country, we carried out two military operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"The first operation targeted the oil tanker MV Sounion because the company that operates it has dealt with the Israeli enemy," he said. "The ship was accurately and directly hit while sailing in the Red Sea and is at risk of sinking."

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"The other operation targeted the ship SW North Wind I, also belonging to a company that deals with the Israeli enemy. It was directly and accurately hit while sailing in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea," he added.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations, MV Sounion, a Greek-flagged oil tanker, and SW North Wind I, a Panama-flagged commercial vessel, were both attacked on Wednesday.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations also confirmed that MV Sounion, which was hit multiple times, has lost engine power and all crew members have been rescued.

READ MORE: US military claims destruction of 2 Houthi vessels in Red Sea

The European Union's Red Sea naval mission "Aspides" stated on Thursday that the MV Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, now poses a navigational and environmental hazard. The mission urged vessels in the area to "exercise caution and avoid actions that could worsen the situation."

SW North Wind I, a 15-year-old bulk carrier, was navigating the southern Red Sea when the attack occurred.

The ship sustained damage to its hull from the strike, but all crew members were unharmed, according to a Yemeni coast guard official.

The attacks come amid ongoing regional tensions. The Houthis have targeted "Israeli-linked" ships since November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, vowing to escalate strikes until Israel halts its offensive.

In response, the United States and Britain have conducted air and naval strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January to prevent disruptions to international shipping lanes. This intervention has led the Houthis to expand their targets to include US and British commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

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On Thursday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi claimed in a televised speech that his group has attacked 182 ships in shipping lanes off Yemen since November of last year.