U.S. Navy Counters Houthi Assault in Red Sea

🚨 Attack on Merchant Vessel and U.S. Navy Helicopters in Southern Red Sea: In a significant incident, Iranian-backed Houthi small boats launched an attack on the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU and U.S. Navy helicopters in the Southern Red Sea.

📌 Details of the Incident:

• Date and Time: The attack occurred on December 31 at 6:30 am Sanaa time.

• Vessel Under Attack: The MAERSK HANGZHOU, which had issued a distress call reporting an assault by four small boats.

• Nature of Attack: The Houthi small boats, armed with crew-served and small arms weapons, approached within 20 meters of the MAERSK HANGZHOU and attempted to board it.

• Defense Actions: An embarked security team on the MAERSK HANGZHOU returned fire.

• U.S. Navy Involvement: Helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call. During their intervention, they were fired upon by the small boats and returned fire in self-defense.

• Outcome: Three of the four attacking boats were sunk, and their crews were killed. The fourth boat fled the area.

• No U.S. Casualties or Equipment Damage: There were no reported injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to equipment.

This incident underscores the ongoing maritime security challenges in the Red Sea, especially related to Houthi activities in the region, and highlights the risks to commercial and military vessels in these waters.

Official statements:

Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red Sea

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.