The U.S. Navy said it destroyed a drone boat launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement after the vessel targeted a merchant ship in the southern Red Sea. The incident adds to a growing pattern of attacks that have unsettled one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.

According to the Reuters report, the strike was carried out after the unmanned boat was used in an attack on commercial shipping. The Navy did not say whether the merchant vessel suffered damage or injuries, and details on the broader impact were limited in the initial report.

The latest confrontation comes amid repeated disruptions in the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks have forced ships to reroute and raised security costs for global trade. The maritime campaign has also increased pressure on international naval forces operating in the region.

The Red Sea route remains strategically important for civilian commerce, and continued attacks on merchant shipping have highlighted the risks to crews, cargo, and supply chains. U.S. and allied forces have continued to respond to threats in the area as tensions remain high.