The US Sinks Three Houthi Boats In The Red Sea After An Attack On The Merchant Ship The Hill.

The United States sank three small Houthi boats in the Red Sea early Sunday morning after another attack on a merchant ship as tensions continued to rise in the region.

U.S. Navy helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and the Gravely responded to a distress call from the container ship Maersk Hangzhao – the second distress call the ship issued in less than 24 hours because it was “under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats.” ” accordingly the US Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM said the boats, which came from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired on the Maersk Hangzhao and attempted to board the vessel after getting within 20 meters of the container ship.

U.S. Navy helicopters were just responding to the distress call and beginning to issue verbal commands when the Houthi-controlled boats fired on them with crew-served weapons and small arms. The helicopters sank three of the four small boats, killing the crews, CENTCOM said.

“The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

The fourth boat fled the area. CENTCOM said no U.S. forces were injured and there was no damage to U.S. equipment.

The exchange comes as attacks on shipping claimed by the Houthi rebels have increased since Israel declared war on the militant group Hamas on October 7. On Saturday, the US also shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels at Maersk Hangzhao on the Red Sea, CENTCOM said on Sunday.

CENTCOM said the Maersk Hangzhao said it was hit by a missile earlier Saturday.

“This is the Houthis’ 23rd illegal attack on international shipping since November 19,” CENTCOM said in a statement.