A US Navy warship operating in the Middle East intercepted multiple projectiles near the coast of Yemen, two US officials have told CNN.

ccording to one official, the missiles were launched by Houthi militants with backing from Iran, who are currently embroiled in an ongoing conflict in Yemen. The second official reported that approximately 2-3 missiles were intercepted.

Later on Thursday, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the USS Carney had successfully intercepted three land attack missiles, along with several drones that had been launched by Houthi forces in Yemen with Iranian support.

During a news briefing, Ryder stated, "This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we built in the Middle East and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interests in this vital region." He further noted that there were no reported casualties among U.S. forces and no known civilian casualties on the ground.