The container ship Maersk Hangzhou said it was hit by a missile while passing through the Bab el-Madeb Strait and then attacked by four Houthi rebel boats, which attempted to board the ship.
The giant Danish shipping company Maersk announced today that it is suspending its fleet’s passage through the strategic Bab el-Madeb Strait in the Red Sea for 48 hours, after a double attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on one of its ships.
The container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported that it was hit by a missile while passing through the Bab el-Madeb Strait and that it subsequently was attacked by four Houthi rebel boats, who tried to board the ship.
The attack is the latest in a series by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have targeted ships in the Red Sea to show their support for the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas fighting Israel in Gaza.
US Navy helicopters they sank three of the four small boats used by the Houthis to attack the Maersk Hangzhou late yesterday, Saturday night, the US military announced.
This is the same Singapore-flagged ship that was attacked again earlier today by the Houthis and requested assistance from the American cruisers USS Gravely and USS Laboon, which immediately responded. The US Navy cruiser USS Gravely shot down two missiles fired by the Houthis, according to US Central Command, or CENTCOM.
Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and US 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
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023
Source :Skai
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