The US CENTCOM reports that Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attacked a merchant vessel in the Southern Red Sea.
According to the report, on Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship Maersk Hangzhou issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats.
The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired small arms weapons at the Maersk Hangzhou, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and their crews attempted to board the vessel. The security team on the ship returned fire.
U.S. helicopters from the USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Gravely (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and while in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with weapons and small arms.
The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.
The incident comes as part of a rising pattern of attacks on merchant vessels by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The group is thought to be aligned with Iran and has also launched numerous missile and drone attacks towards southern Israel.
Due to the increased danger to shipping in the Red Sea, many commercial shipping companies have begun rerouting vessels around Africa instead of attempting to reach the Suez Canal. This has caused increased shipping times and costs globally.
The United States of America has been leading an international effort to create a naval coalition to secure the Red Sea for merchant vessels. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently commented that he has spoken with many world leaders about the need for an international coalition to ensure freedom to navigate in the area.