A fighter jet took off from a US aircraft carrier to strike Houthi rebels.

Dramatic footage shows the warplane taking off from the naval vessel on March 28.

The US Central Command said: 'CENTCOM forces attack Houthi positions. Houthis are terrorists.'

On March 22, military officials also launched strikes on the Iranian-backed rebels. Three days earlier, warplanes had shot down Houthi drones with laser-guided missiles.

President Donald Trump cited the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea as the reason for the military action.

Trump said: 'Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft and targeted our troops and allies.

'These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and world economy many billions of dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk.'

The US initiated what it described as a 'decisive and powerful' wave of airstrikes on Houthi targets on Saturday. The Houthi leadership reported that the number of casualties had risen to 57.

CENTCOM stated that it initiated a series of operations, including precision strikes against Houthi targets across Yemen, to defend American interests, deter adversaries, and ensure freedom of navigation.