US strikes Yemeni radar sites after missile attack on ship

The US military has attacked radar sites in Yemen after a US warship in the Red Sea came under missile attack for the second time within days.

The Pentagon said initial assessments showed that three radar sites involved in the recent missile launches had been destroyed.

The Pentagon announced late on Wednesday that it struck and destroyed three radar sites controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The sites were described as being involved in two missile attacks over the past four days on the destroyer USS Mason, operating out of the Bab al-Mandeb waterway between Yemen and east Africa.

"These limited self-defence strikes were conducted to protect our personnel, our ships, and our freedom of navigation in this important maritime passageway," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said.

"The United States will respond to any further threat to our ships and commercial traffic, as appropriate."

On Sunday, two missiles were fired at the USS Mason from the same rebel-held territory. Both missiles hit the water before reaching the ship, the Pentagon said.

There was no immediate word on any casualties from the US attack on the radar sites, which the Pentagon noted came with the direct authorisation of President Barack Obama.

A Saudi-led multinational coalition, supported by the US, is carrying out an air campaign against the Houthi movement.

However, US support for the coalition has come under strain following an air strike on a funeral hall in the capital Sanaa earlier this month that killed at least 140 people.

Washington said it would review its support to "better align with US principles, values and interests".