.png)
10 months ago
7
ARTICLE AD BOX
US Navy helicopters sank three boats being used by Houthi rebels to attack a cargo ship in the first deadly clash between the US and the Iranian terror proxy.
The US military scrambled the choppers after a Maersk container vessel sent out distress calls the Houthis were swarming the ship.
AP
ReutersIn the biggest confrontation between the US and the Houthis since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely returned fire on the Houthi boats in “self-defence”.
All militants onboard the three sunken ships were killed.
The US Central Command said: “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.”
Danish shipping company Maersk confirmed that the crew onboard Maersk Hangzhou had reported a flash on deck on Dec 30 yesterday evening.
“The crew was safe and there was no indication of fire onboard the vessel that was fully manoeuvrable and continued its journey north to Port Suez,” Maersk said.
The Houthi militants in Yemen have stepped up attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with Hamas.
Last night, Britain and America last night moved closer to launching air strikes on the rebels wreaking havoc in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Defence chiefs were in talks over a possible armed response on Houthi militias using sites in Yemen to bombard vessels operating in the Red Sea.
Sources said eight of the 20 ships attacked in the 30 days before Christmas were either UK- registered, had Brits in their crew or carried goods for the UK.
Major shipping firms such as BP and Maersk are diverting vessels away from the Red Sea amid concerns the crisis will drive up the price of goods and inflation.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned: “Those terrorists who are disrupting trade in the Red Sea are drinking in the last chance saloon.
“Diplomatic efforts have been made to find a resolution but with limited success.
“We cannot allow one of the world’s key waterways that serves global trade to be held for ransom.
“Attacks on commercial shipping with drones and missiles is an attack on all of us and the culture and freedoms we cherish.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online. Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Q&A on Yemen's Houthi rebels
WHO are the Houthis?
SHIA Islamist rebels who are in control of much of western Yemen. They formed in the 1990s and are backed by Iran.
Their slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam”.
WHY are they attacking ships?
TO show support for Hamas following the outbreak of its war with Israel. On 19 November, the Houthis promised to target vessels they believe are heading to and from Israel.
ARE they a danger to the UK?
YES. The attacks disrupt global supply routes. Ships are sailing further which could see prices and inflation go up.
Delays in natural gas shipments will force energy costs to rise
English (US)