Navy pilots have been shot down over the Red Sea in a "friendly fire" incident, according to the US military.

While their army was conducting airstrikes to target Yemen's Houthi rebels, they accidentally hit two American pilots during the fire.

Both individuals were recovered alive, although one sustained minor injuries.

"The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, which was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman," Central Command said in a statement.