Houthis attacked merchant ship in Red Sea: U.S. responded
Photo: The US responded to the Houthi attack in the Red Sea (wikimedia_by_U_S_Navy)
The militarized group of Houthi rebels from Yemen attacked a civilian trade ship in the Red Sea. In response, the U.S. military struck back, according to Bloomberg and the U.S. Central Command on Twitter (X).
It is known that Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked the container ship Maersk Hangzhou under the flag of Singapore, owned by Denmark. The vessel requested assistance from the U.S. military.
Earlier, the U.S. claimed to have intercepted two anti-ship ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis after the container ship sought help. Maersk Hangzhou reported the missile impact on Saturday, December 30.
Following this, four small boats arrived from Yemen, approached the container ship, and the Houthis attempted to board it, firing at the crew with small arms. The security team on the trade ship opened fire in response.
Maersk Hangzhou has issued a distress signal for the second time in less than a day. U.S. helicopters responded to the situation but also came under fire.
The U.S. Central Command reports that the Houthis lost three boats and their crew, and the last vessel managed to leave the scene.
Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea
Since November, Houthi attacks on trade ships with connections to Israel have continued in the Red Sea. On December 16, a British destroyer with a Sea Viper missile intercepted possibly a drone that was attempting to attack a merchant ship in the Red Sea.
Also, a winged missile from a Houthi ground-based facility struck the commercial tanker Strinda under the flag of Norway. The vessel was seriously damaged, and a fire broke out on board.
On December 19, the Pentagon announced the start of a special operation called Prosperity Guardian to protect ships from the Houthis. Over 20 countries agreed to join the coalition.
