According to AFP, clashes between the US Navy and the Houthis broke out today (December 31) in the southern part of the Red Sea, resulting in at least 10 deaths and two injuries. This head-to-head exchange marked the first head-to-head confrontation between the two sides since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and also announced the end of the two-month exchange of fire.
The Houthis have been at a disadvantage in this conflict due to the disparity in strength. The U.S. ** command said that at about 6 a.m. on December 31, a Danish-flagged container ship named "Maersk Hangzhou" in the Red Sea (flying the Singapore flag) was attacked by Houthi forces, and the ship sent two distress signals in 24 hours.
Allegedly, four small boats of the Houthis were less than 20 meters away from the container vessel, firing various light ** at it and trying to board it. The US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" and the destroyer "Graveley" immediately dispatched carrier-based escorts and drove them away. However, when the U.S. military arrived at the scene, the Houthis did not choose to leave, but turned to ***
Subsequently, the U.S. military counterattacked, sinking 3 armed ships, no one survived, and the 4th armed ship fled the area. The incident caused no damage to the U.S. military** or equipment.
The exchange of fire, the first head-to-head clash between the U.S. Navy and the Houthis, resulted in a number of casualties and could lead to a further escalation of tensions in the Red Sea region. Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Houthis have quickly used drones and missiles to attack Israel to support the Palestinians against the Israeli army.
With Iran's backing, the Houthis have a systematic, long-range and high-power range of drones, missiles and even ballistic missiles. If such attacks are not contained, Israel will face tremendous pressure. Thus, as an ally of Israel, the US Navy quickly appeared in the Red Sea, dispatching ships including aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and destroyers.
Recently, in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy launched an interception operation against missiles and drones fired at Israel. This action actually marked a de facto clash between the US military and the Houthis. Although the two sides have been at a standoff in the past in the past, this exchange of fire has made the situation even more tense.
It is reported that the aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" and the destroyer "Graveley" were involved in the operation. The Houthis have repeatedly warned that they are ready to attack US ships. However, in this conflict, the Houthis suffered heavy losses, and the US Navy took the form of *** counterattack.
The confrontation between the two sides may lead to the Houthis firing a large number of missiles and drones at US ** ships in the name of "counterattack". However, neither side is willing to go head-to-head as it could result in immeasurable losses for both sides. If it does, the Houthis will come under tremendous pressure, and the US military could be drawn into a new round of conflict.
Therefore, both sides tend to avoid direct confrontation. In this case, the conflict between the two sides is more like a temptation, and it may end up in a big thing. In the future, the Red Sea is expected to remain a battleground for the two armies, with the Houthis likely to continue to attack Israeli-linked ships and the United States to continue interdiction operations in the Red Sea.
However, Houthi attacks on merchant ships have led to the suspension of shipping routes and a more dangerous navigation environment in the Red Sea. I'm sorry I can't complete your request.