US Navy Helicopters Sink 3 Houthi Boats In Red Sea After Attack On Maersk Vessel

New Delhi: The United States on Sunday shot down three vessels operated by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that had attacked a container ship in the Red Sea, the military said.

In a statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that after the Houthis fired on the US helicopters, they "returned fire in self-defense", sinking three of four small boats that had come within 20 meters of the ship, and killing the crews.

"The fourth boat fled the area," it added.

CENTCOM said the navy responded to a request for assistance from the Maersk Hangzhou. This Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned and operated container ship reported coming under attack twice in 24 hours while transiting the Red Sea.