In a defensive operation, U.S. Navy helicopters thwarted an attack by Houthi insurgents in the Red Sea on Sunday, sinking three assailant boats. This decisive action came after a distress signal from the Singapore-flagged Hangzhou, a Maersk container ship, reported a hostile approach by multiple small boats.
The incident unfolded around 6:30 a.m. local time, with the Hangzhou notifying U.S. Central Command of the looming threat from four boats originating from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen. These boats aggressively approached the merchant vessel, deploying crew-served weapons and small arms, attempting unauthorized boarding.
Responding promptly, U.S. Navy helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely engaged with the hostile boats, issuing verbal warnings. Despite these warnings, the Houthi-affiliated boats retaliated, prompting U.S. service members to retaliate, resulting in the sinking of three boats and the neutralization of their crews. The remaining boat hastily retreated from the scene.
Notably, this marks the second distress call from the Hangzhou within a 24-hour period. The vessel had previously encountered an unidentified object while navigating approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Following the incident, the 14,000-container ship resumed its course towards Port Suez, Egypt, under heightened scrutiny.
Adhish Alawani, a spokesperson for Maersk, affirmed the company’s commitment to safety, announcing a 48-hour transit suspension in the affected area to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into the hostile actions.
