IRAN ESCALATES WAR: US Finally RETURNS FIRE and Takes Out Three Iran-Backed Attack Boats

The US Navy has destroyed Houthi attack boats whose crew attempted to board a container ship in the Red Sea.

Four vessels from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen fired upon the Maersk Hangzhou and got within metres of the ship, the US military said.

Helicopters from nearby US warships responded to a distress call – and, after being fired upon, sank three boats in self-defence.

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The crews were killed and the fourth boat fled the area.

Houthi forces have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November, launching more than 100 drone and missile attacks on vessels passing through the vital shipping lane.

Latest: 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.

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

Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The… pic.twitter.com/nUgifhkdC8

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023

#Breaking: Houthi WAR has started!

CENTCOM: Iranian-backed Houthi boats attack MAERSK HANGZHOU in Southern Red Sea. On Dec. 31 at 6:30 am, four Houthi boats fired at the vessel, attempting to board. Security team onboard returned fire. U.S. Navy helicopters responded, and in… pic.twitter.com/hwH4BgchGI

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 31, 2023

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… pic.twitter.com/pj8NAzjbVF

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023

Marking a significant escalation in tensions in one of the world’s most vital waterways, the US Navy killed crew members of three Houthi boats that launched an attack on a Maersk container ship in the Red Seahttps://t.co/TLqjp2gXcf

— Adam Milstein (@AdamMilstein) December 31, 2023

BREAKING:

US Navy obliterates Houthis.

Houthi rebels in 4 speedboats have attacked the Danish container ship MAERSK Hangzhou, shooting at it and trying to board it.

They also fired at a US Navy helicopter that came to its aid.

The Americans returned fire, sinking 3 speedboats pic.twitter.com/chPaJcWRYW

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 31, 2023

BREAKING REPORT: U.S. Intercepts 12 Drones, 3 Ballistic Missiles, and 2 Cruise Missiles from Iran-Backed Forces in Southern Red Sea Within 10 Hours..

JOE BIDEN HAS MADE AMERICA A LAUGHING STOCK ON THE WORLD STAGE..

A U.S. Navy destroyer and F/A-18 Super Hornets spent 10 hours… pic.twitter.com/NJaatrVRiB

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) December 27, 2023

https://x.com/GlobeEyeNews/status/1741465890145861846?s=20

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

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BEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. military said Sunday it shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired toward a container ship by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Hours later, four boats tried to attack the same ship, but U.S. forces opened fire, killing several of the armed crews, the U.S. Central Command said. No one was injured on the ship.

The Singapore-flagged MAERSK HANZGHOU reported they had already been hit by a missile Saturday night while transiting the Southern Red Sea and requested assistance, CENTCOM said in a statement. The USS GRAVELY and USS LABOON responded to the call for help, and the Denmark-owned vessel was reportedly seaworthy and no injuries were noted, the statement added.

“This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19,” CENTCOM said.

In another statement, CENTCOM said the same ship issued an additional distress call about a second attack “by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats.” The attackers fired small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANZGHOU, getting to within 20 meters (about 65 feet) of the vessel, and attempted to it, CENTCOM said.

How Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea are affecting global trade

US sanctions money network tied to the Yemen Houthi rebels blamed for shipping vessel attacks
This Nov. 12, 2018 photo shows The USS Carney in the Mediterranean Sea. The American warship and multiple commercial ships came under attack Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 in the Red Sea, the Pentagon said, potentially marking a major escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Mideast linked to the Israel-Hamas war. “We’re aware of reports regarding attacks on the USS Carney and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available,” the Pentagon said. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan U. Kledzik/U.S. Navy via AP)
Who are the Houthis and why hasn’t the US retaliated for their attacks on ships in the Middle East?

A contract-embarked security team on the ship returned fire, the central command said. U.S. helicopters from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and GRAVELY responded to the distress call and while issuing verbal warnings to the attackers, the small boat crews opened fire on the helicopters using small arms, the statement said.