U.S. Central Command
On December 31 at 6:30 Sana'a time the container ship Maersk hangz MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours and reported being attacked by four small boats of Iran-backed Houthis. The small boats, which were sourced from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, launched and reached a distance of 20 meters from the ship, and attempted to board the vessel. The security team of the container ship responded to the shooting. American helicopters responded to the distress call and listened to verbal calls to small boats, small boats fired at American helicopters with their crews carrying small arms. Naval helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, killing their crews. The fourth boat escaped from the area. There was no damage to American personnel or equipment.
