The US Central Command on Sunday said that its military helicopters opened fire on four Houthi speedboats, sinking three of them with no survivors. The fourth boat fled the scene. The US military helicopters were dispatched to the area after Houthis opened fire on a Danish container ship and tried to board it. The Houthis also opened fire at a US Navy helicopter that flew to the ship’s aid. “The container ship Maersk Hangzhou issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours, reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats,” the statement from CENTCOM said. “The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired at the ship and attempted to board it.” “U.S. helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired at U.S. helicopters. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.” Maersk confirmed the report, saying that its ship was attacked as it was passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea. It later announced that it is suspending all sailing in the Red Sea for 48 hours. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)