In a dramatic turn of events in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy has confirmed its first direct confrontation with Houthi rebels, resulting in the sinking of three rebel boats and the loss of all onboard. The incident occurred after an Iranian-backed Houthi attack on a Maersk merchant vessel passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, near Yemen.
According to reports, the merchant vessel was hit by an unidentified object but managed to continue its course. However, four boats carrying Houthi militants attempted to approach and board the vessel, opening fire in the process. Maersk issued a distress call to the U.S. military, which promptly responded by deploying helicopters from the aircraft carrier Eisenhower and a Navy destroyer.
