In a decisive response, US Navy helicopters sank three vessels operated by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels after an attack on a container ship in the Red Sea. The incident occurred in response to the Houthi assault on the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned, and operated container ship.
The Houthi rebels fired on US helicopters, prompting a self-defense response. Three out of four small boats approaching the container ship within 20 meters were sunk, resulting in the loss of the crews. The fourth boat managed to flee the area.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed that the navy acted upon a request for assistance from the Maersk Hangzhou, which reported being under attack for the second time in 24 hours while transiting the Red Sea. The container ship had previously been targeted with two anti-ship ballistic missiles, both intercepted by the US military.
The strategic importance of the Red Sea shipping lane, carrying up to 12 percent of global trade, has led the United States to establish a multinational naval task force to safeguard shipping in the region.
The Houthi rebels have persistently targeted vessels in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where conflict persists between Israel and the militant group Hamas. The attacks not only pose a threat to shipping but also endanger a vital transit route.
As global tensions escalate, incidents like these underline the complexity of geopolitical dynamics and the ongoing challenges faced by nations in securing critical waterways.
By AFP
