The US Navy sank three boats belonging to the Yemeni Houthi group that attempted to attack the Singaporeflagged Maersk container ship Hangzhou in the Red Sea. A fourth ship that was involved in the approach managed to escape.
The operation marked an escalation of tensions in one of the world's most important waterways, carrying 12% of international trade. Iranbacked Yemeni rebels have launched a series of attacks on civilian ships, disrupting international shipping lines and sparking a global logistics crisis.
The measures already led to a global increase in oil, gas and insurance prices as well as sea freight prices in December. Because they coincide with a drought in the Panama Canal and create a global maritime crisis scenario.
The situation coincides with efforts by the United States to reassure shipping companies that a multinational force (Bahrain, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain and the United Kingdom) is providing security Transit efforts are underway in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, despite frequent attacks by Houthi rebels.
The Houthi ships were destroyed by helicopter gunships sent from the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower after Hangzhou issued a distress call. The Houthis attempted to board the cargo ship with fighters using light weapons and enter Hangzhou from small boats.
The destruction of three of the four Yemeni boats was confirmed by the rebel group. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea confirmed that at least ten members of the group died this Sunday due to the American response.
“While Yemeni (Houthi) naval forces were carrying out their normal official duties to ensure security and stability and protect maritime shipping (…), hostile US forces attacked three Yemeni (Houthi) naval forces, resulting in a The attack led to “the martyrdom and loss of ten members” of their ranks, the spokesman said on his official account on the social network X, formerly Twitter.
The company will restrict operations through the Red Sea
The Danish shipping company announced that it would suspend shipping operations in the Red Sea for 48 hours to investigate the attacks and better assess safety. Almost 12% of world trade passes through the region.
On Friday, the Yemeni group warned the countries of the maritime coalition, saying that attacks in the Red Sea were entering a new phase. The attacks would not be limited to Israeli ships or those bound for that country.
Since November, the Houthis have hijacked a container ship and carried out more than 20 attacks to show solidarity with the Hamas terror group's attacks on Israel.
He stated that U.S. military action in the Red Sea “to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen from fulfilling its religious, moral and humanitarian duty to support and triumph against the oppressed in Palestine.”