After attack on freighter - Escalation in the Red Sea: US military kills Huthi rebels
Attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have led to a direct escalation between the US military and Yemeni Huthi rebels. The responsible US regional command announced on the X platform, formerly Twitter, that the US military had come to the aid of a Danish container ship that had been attacked by the Houthis.
The pro-Iranian group had attacked the ship from four small boats with small arms, approached up to 20 meters and attempted to board the ship. A security team on board returned fire. US forces intervened, were attacked themselves and ultimately killed several of the rebels.
The US military said it sent naval helicopters to help, which were then fired on from the Huthi boats. "The US Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews," it said. "The fourth boat fled the area." There was no damage or casualties on the US side.
Post Central Command
Huthi rebels: "US enemy bears the consequences"
The Houthi rebels accused the USA of attacking their boats. A spokesman for the rebels said in a televised address that ten of their members had been killed or disappeared in the incident. "The US enemy is bearing the consequences of this crime," the spokesman said.
According to the US military, the Danish container ship named "Maersk Hangzhou" was attacked twice within 24 hours. The US Navy had already responded to an initial call for help from the ship, which had already been hit by a missile on Saturday evening. However, the container ship remained seaworthy. No injuries were reported. According to the US Regional Command, this was the 23rd "illegal attack" by the Houthis on international shipping since October 19.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and rockets. Most recently, they have also repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea - one of the most important shipping routes for world trade, leading to the Suez Canal. In recent weeks, the US military has shot down various drones and missiles that were reportedly launched from Houthi areas in Yemen. The US side had not previously reported a direct and deadly exchange of fire with the rebels.
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- The US military is part of the international community that is closely monitoring conflicts in the Yemeni region, particularly those involving the Houthi rebels.
- The attack on the Danish container ship, Maersk Hangzhou, was a clear violation of international shipping laws, a concern shared by US Armed forces and the maritime shipping industry.
- The escalation in the Red Sea, with US military forces engaging Houthi rebels on a merchant ship, has raised concerns among Denmark and other global merchant shipping companies, such as Maersk.
- The incident with the Maersk Hangzhou was not an isolated incident; prior to this, the Houthis had attacked other freighters and container ships in the Red Sea, creating an unsafe environment for maritime transportation.
- The attacks on shipping are a result of the ongoing conflicts in the region, further triggering the escalation of tensions between the US military and the Houthi armed forces.
- The US Navy, acting as a part of the US Armed forces, is conducting counter-terrorism operations and defensive measures to safeguard international maritime traffic and commerce in the Red Sea.
- Social media platforms like Twitter have been crucial for disseminating information about the attack, with the US Regional Command releasing statements through the platform to update the public and the shipping community.
- Despite the increasing risks and tensions in the Red Sea, the shipping industry is adapting to the new environment with caution, relying on intelligence, defensive measures and the support of naval forces to ensure the safety of their vessels.
- The escalation of conflicts in the region has become a concern for prominent world leaders and shipping companies, including Denmark and Maersk, who are actively involved in urging the international community to take effective measures for stabilizing the area.
- The attack on the Maersk Hangzhou has brought attention to the fragile situation in the Red Sea, which carries an impact not only on shipping companies and their employees but also on the global economy, as tensions remain high and the Red Sea remains a strategic and important shipping route.
Source: www.stern.de
