The U.S. military said it had launched an attack on the Iran-backed Houthi armed forces in Yemen and hit 15 targets.
The Pentagon said the attack using aircraft and warships was to “protect freedom of navigation.”
Multiple explosions were reported in some major cities in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.
Since November, the Houthis have launched attacks on about 100 ships in the Red Sea, sinking two ships. The rebel group said the attacks were retaliation for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said the attack targeted weapon systems, bases and other equipment of the Houthis.
Houthi armed media said that Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, was also among the cities that were attacked.
On Monday, the Houthis said they shot down a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen. The U.S. military acknowledged the loss of a drone.
Last week, the Pentagon said the Houthis launched a “sophisticated attack” on U.S. Navy ships in the area, but that all weapons fired were shot down.
Sanaa has been spared from bombing in the past two years, since fighting between Yemen’s warring parties has largely subsided.
In addition to attacking ships in the Red Sea, the Houthis have also launched multiple missiles and drones directly at Israel.
In July, a drone launched from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring 10 others.
Israel responded both times with attacks on sites inside Yemen.
Earlier this year, the United States, Britain and 12 other countries launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect Red Sea waterways from Houthi attacks.
The Houthis are part of a network of Iran-backed armed groups in the Middle East that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
