The United States Navy has engaged boats operated by Yemen Houthi's in the Red Sea. Three Houthi boats were sunk and their crews killed after an attack upon the Merchant Container Ship MAERSK HONGZHOU.
US Navy helicopters from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and USS Gravely engaged the boats, sinking them and killing the crews.
The official report says:
"On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) 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 small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel.
A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire.
U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and, in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew-served weapons and small arms.
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."
As a result of today's attacks, Shipping giant Maersk to suspend ships passage through the Red Sea for a period of 48 hours.
Commander of the US Fifth Fleet, Admiral Brad Cooper: The "Yemeni Army" in Yemen, shows no sign of ending their attacks in the Red Sea. “The Yemenis are ready to destroy American warships.”
HAL TURNER PERSONAL OPINION
The admiral is incorrect in his reasoning but is correct in his judgment here. I believe the Houthi army is drawing in American warships for a reason.
It seems to me that terrorists do not operate in the open like this drawing in massive attack forces they can not counter without a plan in place.
My guess is Iran has developed some new toys with the help of Russia and China and plan to test them out soon.
In my view, Houthis are not a terror organization in the traditional sense. It's a massive anti-Zionist movement that aims to unite Yemen against Arab Zionists, similar to Hezbollah.
I give the Houthis a lot of credit due to their lack of money, nutrition, etc. They embarrassed Saudi army big time going against American military equipment wearing sandals and using old soviet weapons. Watching their fight against Saudi Arabia over the past few years was impressive and they eventually gained independence against Al Qaeda/Saudi rulers.
Also, they're probably one of the poorest nations on earth, yet have managed to completely stop global trade to Israel.
The US can send in Carrier groups all day, but to what end? We don't have any surge capacity to invade a nation like in 2002. People think US and company can just bomb these countries and the war is won. Very short sighted opinions.
UPDATE: 11:43 AM EST -- COVERT INTEL
Within the next few hours, an Ultimatum will be announced by the collective West to Yemen . . .
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