US forces shoot down ballistic missiles in Red Sea, kill gunmen in attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels

 The US military shot down three boats operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels – killing their crews – after the militants had attempted to attack a Maersk container vessel in Red Sea waters near Yemen early Sunday, officials said.

Helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely warships opened fire at “four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats” – sinking three of them – while responding to an SOS call from the Singapore-flagged vessel Maersk Hangzhou around 6:30 a.m. local time, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The fourth boat escaped the attack, which officials say was executed in self-defense, about 55 nautical miles southwest of Al Hodeidah, Yemen.

The operators of the boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, opened fire at the Maersk Hangzhou – and intended to board the vessel, coming as close as 65 feet to it, CENTCOM said.

The incident marked the second time in less than 24 hours that the Maersk vessel came under attack, according to CENTCOM.

Late Saturday, the USS Gravely shot down two ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, while responding to a missile strike on the same ship, which was navigating the Southern Red Sea, CENTCOM said.

USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles while responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel.CENTCOM

There were no reported injuries during that encounter.

The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on ships that they say are either linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports.

Their goal, they say, is to end Israel’s air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip following Hamas’ Oct. 7 sneak attack on Israel.

The attacks have disrupted world trade, as the Red Sea is the entry point for ships using the Suez Canal – the route for about 12% of world trade, which is essential for the movement of goods between Asia and Europe.

Instead, major shipping companies have opted to take a longer and more expensive route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

In an effort to put an end to the disruption and safeguard ships traversing the Red Sea waters near Yemen, the US Pentagon launched Operation Prosperity Guardian on Dec. 19.

More than 20 countries had agreed to participate, but a number have not acknowledged it publicly.

Since then, 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the Red Sea region, and none have been hit by drone or missile strikes, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said in an Associated Press interview Saturday.

Maersk, one of the world’s major cargo shippers, opted on Dec. 24 to resume its sailings through the Red Sea.

Shipping giant Maersk said on December 31, 2023 it was suspending the passage of vessels through a key Red Sea strait for 48 hours, after Yemeni rebels attacked one of its merchant ships.AFP via Getty Images

But despite the international maritime mission, Houthi rebels have shown no signs of ending their “reckless” attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, according to Cooper, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East.

“We are clear-eyed that the Houthi reckless attacks will likely continue,” Cooper said.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced on Sunday that he had spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, urging him in a call that his country should help stop the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

“I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks, given their long-standing support to the Houthis,” Cameron posted on X, adding that the attacks “threaten innocent lives and the global economy.”

https://nypost.com/2023/12/31/news/us-forces-shoot-down-ballistic-missiles-in-red-sea-kill-gunmen-in-attack-by-yemens-houthi-rebels/