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Navy helicopters fired on Iran-backed Houthi gunmen making an attempt to hijack a cargo ship.
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The helicopters returned fireplace in self-defense, sinking three of the 4 small boats, and killing the crews.
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The small boats originated from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, stated US Central Command.
The battle within the Pink Sea escalated on Sunday when US Navy helicopters fired on and destroyed the boats of Iranian-backed Houthi gunmen making an attempt to board a cargo ship.
The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, tried to board the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-registered, Danish-owned cargo ship, stated US Central Command (Centcom).
Iranian-backed Houthi small boats assault service provider vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Pink Sea
On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second misery name in lower than 24 hours reporting being underneath assault by 4 Iranian-backed… pic.twitter.com/pj8NAzjbVF
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023
Responding to a misery name from the Maersk Hangzhou, US warship helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and Gravely engaged the Houthi vessels.
After being shot at by gunmen within the boats, the US Navy helicopters returned fireplace, sinking three and killing all of the crew, Centcom stated.
It added that the fourth boat “fled the realm” and no injury had been recorded to US personnel or tools.
Earlier, the US Navy’s USS Gravely efficiently intercepted two anti-ship ballistic missiles whereas responding to a Houthi attack on the Maersk Hangzhou, per Centcom.
The container ship was additionally struck by a missile whereas transiting the Southern Pink Sea, it stated. The vessel was reported as seaworthy and there was no harm to crew.
Maersk has paused sailings via the Pink Sea for 48 hours in response to the tried assault.
The US Navy’s interception of the assault countered the 23rd illegal attack by Houthi rebels on international shipping since November 19.
An important transport lane
For weeks now, the Iran-backed Yemen insurgent group has been concentrating on industrial vessels within the Pink Sea with drones and ballistic missiles in protest of Israeli navy operations within the Gaza Strip.
Main shipping firms, including Maersk, have reroutes vessels from the vital shipping lane, impacting world transport routes and worldwide commerce.
The Houthi assaults on important transport lanes have prompted the US to launch Operation Prosperity Guardian — a world Naval coalition aimed toward safeguarding transport within the area.
The Houthis have continued with their assaults regardless of the US’ response. US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said that, for the reason that operation’s launch, 1,200 industrial ships have handed via the Pink Sea with out incident till Saturday’s missile strike, per the BBC.
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