US Navy destroyed Houthi small boats whose crew attempted to board container ship in Red Sea

The US Navy has destroyed Houthi small boats whose crew attempted to board a container ship in the Red Sea. Four vessels from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen fired upon the Maersk Hangzhou and got within metres of the ship, the US military said. Helicopters from nearby US warships responded to a distress call - and, after being fired upon,



sank three boats in self-defence. The crews were killed and the fourth boat fled the area.

Houthi forces have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November, launching more than 100 drone and missile attacks on vessels passing through the vital shipping lane.