U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) announced today that it has responded to a fire attack by Shiite Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and sank three boats of the attackerswhich became the first casualties of the Yemeni movement in direct confrontation with US forces along this sea route.

“On December 31 at 6:30 a.m. local time, the Maersk Hangzhou container ship issued a second distress signal in less than 24 hours, reporting that itattacked by four small Houthi boats with Iranian support.”That’s according to the United States, which is leading a naval coalition created this month to ensure international maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The US command said that four ships They came from “Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.” who have not yet taken responsibility for this action.

The people who were on these boats Container ship flying the Singapore flag “shot” “with small-caliber weapons they approached the ship closer than 20 meters and tried to board it.”

But, as the United States explains, “a security team sent under contract to Maersk Hanzghou returned fire,” and American helicopters responded to the distress call and in the process transmitted verbal calls to small boats, They fired at American helicopters with crew weapons and light weapons.

American helicopters “They returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing their crew. The fourth boat left the area. “No personal or property damage was caused,” CENTCOM concluded in a statement.

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This is the second time the ship has been attacked, allegedly by the Houthis. after the US shot down two missiles fired from rebel areas yesterday and that they were directed against a merchant vessel.

According to the Royal Navy, the attack took place. 60 miles northwest of Al Hodeidah, one of Yemen’s main ports, controlled by the Houthis.

This is the first direct clash between the US and the Houthis. leaving rebel casualties since two months ago the rebels began targeting southern Israel with rockets and drones, as well as ships flying the flag of the Jewish state or owned by Israeli companies, in the Red Sea and from the Bab Strait to Mandeb.

Having suspended transit through this area, the Danish shipping company Maersk decided a few days ago resume passage through the Red Sea when the United States announced a new naval coalition to protect international maritime security.

(EFE)