CNN on October 20 quoted two US officials as saying that a US Navy warship in the Middle East intercepted several missiles near the coast of Yemen believed to be aimed at Israel.

The missiles were launched on October 19 by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, which are currently fighting in Yemen. About 2-3 missiles were intercepted.

Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder later confirmed that the USS Carney (Aleigh Burke-class destroyer) intercepted three land-attack missiles, as well as several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Houthi forces in Yemen.

"This action is a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture we have built in the Middle East and we are prepared to use it whenever necessary to protect our partners and interests in this vital region," he said.

There were no casualties among US forces, and there were no reports of civilian casualties on the ground, the official added.

He said the Pentagon could not yet determine what the missiles and drones were targeting, but said they were launched from Yemen and were heading north along the Red Sea, “potentially toward targets in Israel.”

The destroyer USS Carney passed through the Suez Canal to enter the Red Sea on October 18 on a mission to "help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East".

The incident comes as US bases in Syria and Iraq have been targeted by UAVs, amid heightened tensions in the region as the Hamas-Israel conflict continues.

On October 18, two UAVs targeted the al-Tanf base in Syria, where US forces and the coalition against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) are stationed. One was destroyed, while the other slightly injured a member of the force there.

That same day, an early warning system indicated a threat approaching the al-Asad base in Iraq, where U.S. forces were stationed. No attack occurred, but people took cover and an American contractor suffered a heart attack and later died, according to Mr. Ryder.

On October 17, US forces responded to three UAVs in Iraq, including two targeting al-Asad base and one near Bashur base. Some forces at al-Asad suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Asked whether all of the attacks were related to the Hamas-Israel conflict, as well as the regional reaction to US support for Israel, Mr. Ryder said the US was still assessing.