US sinks 3 Houthi boats in Red Sea after attack on merchant ship

The United States sunk three small Houthi boats in the Red Sea early Sunday morning following another attack on a merchant ship as tensions continue to rise in the region.  

U.S. Navy helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and the Gravely responded to a distress call issued by the container ship Maersk Hangzhao — the second distress call the ship issued in less than 24 hours due to “being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats,” according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM said that the boats, which originated from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, fired at the Maersk Hangzhao and attempted to board the vessel after getting within 20 meters of the container ship.