US sinks 3 ships and kills 10 Houthi fighters in Red Sea

The naval battle broke out at around 03:30 GMT on Sunday when attackers attempted to board the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou, according to Maersk and the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM further announced that helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely joined the ship's security team to repel the attackers after receiving a distress call.

US warships are operating in the Red Sea to prevent Houthi attacks. Photo: US Navy

A Houthi spokesman said the group carried out the attack because the ship’s crew refused to heed warning calls. He said 10 Houthi naval fighters were “dead and missing” after their boat was attacked by US forces in the Red Sea.

The naval battle underscores the risk of escalating fighting in the region due to the impact of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Yemen's Houthi forces have targeted ships in the Red Sea since November to show their support for Hamas, forcing major shipping companies to take the longer and more expensive route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope instead of via the Suez Canal.

The Red Sea is the entry point for ships using the Suez Canal, which handles about 12% of global trade and is vital for the transport of goods between Asia and Europe.

The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 19, saying more than 20 countries had agreed to join efforts to protect shipping in the Red Sea near Yemen.

However, attacks continued and US allies appeared reluctant to join the coalition, with nearly half not publicly declaring their presence.

The failed Houthi takeover was the second attack on the Maersk Hangzhou. The ship, which was carrying 14,000 containers en route from Singapore, was hit by a missile on Saturday about 55 nautical miles southwest of Al Hodeidah, Yemen.

The shipping company added that the crew of the Maersk Hangzhou was safe and there were no signs of fire or explosion on board, continuing its journey north to the Suez Canal.

However, Maersk, one of the world 's largest cargo carriers, said on Sunday it would delay all transits through the area for 48 hours, after the Maersk Hangzhou was hit by a missile.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Sunday he had told Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a call that Iran should help stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which he said “threaten innocent lives and the global economy .”

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hai-chien-tren-bien-do-my-danh-chim-3-tau-va-tieu-diet-10-chien-binh-houthi-post279248.html