"The crew of the guided missile destroyer USS Carney operating in the northern Red Sea earlier today shot down three land attack cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by Houthi forces in Yemen," Ryder said during a press briefing.
"This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we have built in the Middle East and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interests in this important region."
Ryder detailed "there were no casualties to US forces and none that we know of to civilians on the ground."
"Information about these engagements is still being processed and we cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel," Ryder said.
The press secretary further indicated that additional details would be released as the "attack may be ongoing."
Ryder said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier in the day conducted a series of calls with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Emir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar, including his Saudi and Israeli counterparts.
Tensions have been building across the Middle East, including militant attacks against US bases in the region, in light of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the increased US military footprint in the region to support Israel.