US Navy helicopters sank three Houthi rebel boats attacking a cargo ship in the first reported deadly clash between the US and the Iranian terror proxy.
The US military scrambled the choppers after a Maersk container vessel sent out distress calls the Houthis were swarming the ship.
APIt is the first reported deadly clash between the US and the militia group in the Red Sea[/caption]
ReutersThe moment before the Houthis attacked and seized the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in late November[/caption]
In the biggest confrontation between the US and the Houthis since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely returned fire on the Houthi boats in “self-defence”.
All militants onboard the three sunken ships were killed.
The US Central Command said: “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.”
Danish shipping company Maersk confirmed that the crew onboard Maersk Hangzhou had reported a flash on deck on Dec 30 yesterday evening.
“The crew was safe and there was no indication of fire onboard the vessel that was fully manoeuvrable and continued its journey north to Port Suez,” Maersk said.
Yemen‘s Houthi rebels have been wreaking havoc in the Red Sea as they have vowed to attack all ships that may be headed to or from Israeli ports in solidarity with Hamas.
Last night, Britain and America last night moved closer to launching air strikes on the rebels who are turning one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes into a war zone.
Defence chiefs were in talks over a possible armed response on the militia’s sites in Yemen that are being used to launch attacks on vessels.
Sources said eight of the 20 ships attacked in the 30 days before Christmas were either UK-registered, had Brits in their crew or carried goods for the UK.
Under a barrage of rocket and drone attacks, major shipping firms such as BP and Maersk are diverting vessels away from the Red Sea – sparking concerns the crisis will drive up the price of goods and inflation.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned: “Those terrorists who are disrupting trade in the Red Sea are drinking in the last chance saloon.
“Diplomatic efforts have been made to find a resolution but with limited success.
“We cannot allow one of the world’s key waterways that serves global trade to be held for ransom.
“Attacks on commercial shipping with drones and missiles is an attack on all of us and the culture and freedoms we cherish.”
The Houthis, which control large swaths of Yemen, have carried out over a 100 drone, missiles and hijacking assaults on ships travelling through the Red Sea.
Over £1trillion worth of world trade is currently being held hostage as the emboldened militia group has pledged to continue their attacks until Israel’s devastating offensive and bombardment of the Gaza Strip ends.
The US, UK and other countries have all sent warships into the increasingly troubled area in a show of force to attempt to regain stability of the waters.
The Iran-backed terror proxy have been directly challenging the US with a simple message – ‘If you strike us, we will strike you right back’.
In late December, Houthi chief, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, vowed to target American warships if President Biden orders missile strikes against its forces.
He also warned that US troops will face a warzone “harsher than Vietnam” if they dare step foot in Yemen.
Q&A on Yemen’s Houthi rebels
WHO are the Houthis?
SHIA Islamist rebels who are in control of much of western Yemen. They formed in the 1990s and are backed by Iran.
Their slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam”.
WHY are they attacking ships?
TO show support for Hamas following the outbreak of its war with Israel. On 19 November, the Houthis promised to target vessels they believe are heading to and from Israel.
ARE they a danger to the UK?
YES. The attacks disrupt global supply routes. Ships are sailing further which could see prices and inflation go up.
Delays in natural gas shipments will force energy costs to rise
Iran-backed Houthi rebels are waging war in the Red Sea disrupting global trade
The Houthi rebels have vowed to ferociously hit back at the US if any direct action is taken against them
Tensions are skyrocketing in the Red Sea as the Houthis and the US have had their first deadly clash