US sinks 3 Houthi boats, kills 10 in Red Sea GE

US helicopters repelled an attack by Iran-backed Houthi militants on a Maersk container vessel in the Red Sea, sinking three attack boats and killing 10 militants, according to accounts by American, Maersk and Houthi officials.

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The naval battle occurred around 0330GMT on Dec. 31 as the attackers sought to board the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou, US Central Command (Centcom) and Maersk said.

Helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely joined the ship’s security team in repelling the attackers after receiving a distress call, Centcom said.

Maersk said it was pausing all ships sailing through the Red Sea for 48 hours after the attack.

A spokesman for the Houthis said the group carried out the attack because the ship’s crew refused to heed warning calls.

He said 10 Houthi naval personnel were “dead and missing” after their boats were attacked by US forces in the Red Sea.