- US helicopters sank Houthi boats
- Maersk ship targeted in Red Sea
- Global trade disrupted
According to the United States military, Navy helicopters opened fire on a Maersk container ship that had been targeted, resulting in the deaths of multiple armed Houthi crews.
According to the US military, three small boats used by Houthi militants to attack a Maersk container ship in the southern Red Sea were sunk by American navy helicopters.
The Houthi group, based in Yemen and supported by Iran, reported that ten of its navy forces were killed and three others went missing when US helicopters opened fire.
The container vessel, owned by Danes, suffered no damage when it was attacked by the militants.
Houthi forces have increased their assaults on vessels in the Red Sea as a demonstration of support for Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization engaged in combat with Israel in Gaza. This incursion targeted the ship.
The Maersk Hangzhou initially reported being struck by a missile in the southern Red Sea on Saturday evening, approximately 55 nautical miles from Yemen, according to a statement from US Central Command (Centcom).
According to the Houthis, the missile was launched when the vessel failed to react to warning signals.
Naval Response to Houthi Attack
The USS Laboon and USS Gravely responded to a distress signal from the Maersk, which was deemed seaworthy following the missile strike, according to the statement.
Additionally, the United States military claimed to have intercepted two anti-ship missiles launched from Houthi-held regions in Yemen.
After several hours had passed since its initial distress signal, the Maersk ship was targeted by four Houthi watercraft.
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Centcom said that Houthi militants fired small arms at the Maersk Hangzhou within 20 metres (65 feet).
According to the central command, a security crew that was contracted to embark on the vessel opened fire.
The distress call was responded to by helicopters aboard the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely. According to the statement, the small boat crew fired small guns against the helicopters after verbally warning the assailants.
“In self-defense, US navy helicopters returned fire,” sinking three of the four vessels and killing their crews, while the fourth vessel escaped the area, according to Centcom. No US personnel or equipment was reported to have been damaged.
Maersk has suspended all Red Sea voyages for the past forty-eight hours in response to the most recent attack.
Global Ramifications of Red Sea Attacks
From Singapore to Port Suez, the Singapore-flagged vessel with a carrying capacity of 14,000 containers was in transit.
The UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, said he discussed the Red Sea strikes with Iran. The attacks were described as “threatening innocent lives and the global economy.”
The individual further stated, “I have explicitly stated that Iran is also accountable for averting these assaults on account of their protracted assistance to the Houthis.”
Iran-backed Houthis say their attacks are against Israeli warships to stop the Gaza offensive.
Due to the attacks, large marine corporations have taken the longer, more expensive route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. This decision has disrupted international trade, previously reliant on the Suez Canal.
