AP Moller-Maersk has stopped all voyages through the Red Sea. Houthi rebels had previously attacked one of the shipping company’s ships – escalating tensions in the important waterway. The world’s second largest container shipping company suspended all transit traffic through the Red Sea for 48 hours to assess the security situation.
The US military and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have engaged in a deadly exchange of fire around the Maersk ship. The responsible US regional command announced on the X platform (formerly Twitter) that on Sunday the pro-Iranian group attacked the ship with small arms from four small boats, approached up to 20 meters and tried to get onto the ship. A security team on board returned fire. US forces intervened, attacked themselves and ultimately killed several of the rebels. The US military said it sent naval helicopters to help, which were then fired upon from the Houthi boats. “The U.S. 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 injuries on the US side.
The Houthi rebels accused the US of attacking their boats. A rebel spokesman said in a televised address on Sunday that 10 of their members had been killed or disappeared in the incident. “The US enemy will bear the consequences of this crime,” the spokesman said.
According to US military information, 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 Houthis’ 23rd “illegal attack” on international shipping since October 19. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and rockets. Recently, they have repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea – one of the most important shipping routes for world trade, which leads 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 fatal exchange of fire with the rebels.