The United States will send a warship and fighter jets to protect the United Arab Emirates, officials said after a series of rocket attacks by Yemeni rebels that killed three people in the UAE, AFP reported.

The decision came after a phone conversation between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the US embassy in the UAE said.

As part of the new arrangements, the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole will cooperate with the UAE Navy, the US will also deploy fifth-generation combat aircraft. Other actions include "continuing to provide early warning intelligence", the embassy said in a statement.

Austin and the crown prince discussed the recent Houthi attacks on the UAE that resulted in civilian casualties.

Three foreign workers were killed in a drone and missile attack on oil facilities and Abu Dhabi airport on 17 January.

On January 24, US forces stationed at Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Air Base used Patriot air defenses, shooting down two ballistic missiles over the city. And on Monday, a third missile strike was averted during a visit to the UAE by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The United States, a loyal ally of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, believes this deployment will send " a clear signal that the United States stands with the UAE as a long-standing strategic partner," the embassy said in a statement.