US Central Command says a US warship has engaged and shot down three drones after three commercial vessels came under attack in the Red Sea.

It said the USS Carney assisted the ships after they were targeted from areas of Yemen on Sunday held by Houthi rebels.

It also says two of the ships were hit by missiles but there were no casualties.

Meanwhile, a Houthi spokesman claims they attacked two Israeli ships, but the Israeli military says the vessels have no connection to Israel.