This comes as it continues its patrol mission to counter threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
As the war between Israel and Palestine militant Hamas continues, the United States military says it has sunk three boats waging an attack on a container ship in the Red Sea.
This comes as it continues its patrol mission to counter threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said helicopters from two US warships – the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely – shot at the “Iranian-backed Houthi small boats” in self-defence.
The US said it responded to an SOS call from the Singapore-flagged vessel Maersk Hangzhou.
CENTCOM disclosed this in a tweet on Sunday titled, ‘USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles while responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel.’
It said, “Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea.
“The Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned/operated container ship requested assistance, and the USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) and USS LABOON (DDG 58) have responded to the ship. The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are no reported injuries.
“While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships.
“This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19.”
In another tweet titled, ‘Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red Sea,’ CENTCOM said, “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 crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel.
“A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served 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.”