Officials say US missiles destroy radar sites on Yemen coast

American officials say US-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles have destroyed three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory on Yemen's Red Sea Coast.

The retaliatory action follows two incidents this week in which missiles were fired at US Navy ships.

The strikes marked the first shots fired by the US in anger against the Houthis in Yemen's long-running civil war. Officials haven't provided information on casualties from the US missiles fired early today.

A Pentagon spokesman says President Barack Obama authorized the strikes at the recommendation of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Joseph Dunford.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook says in a statement that these were limited self-defence strikes conducted to protect US personnel, ships and freedom of navigation.