Outdated Footage Contradicts U.S. Navy’s Attack on Houthi Boats in the Red Sea

Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading, as the video is outdated and does not depict the destruction of Houthi boats by missiles launched by American helicopters in the Red Sea.

American Naval Officers Test Defense System

Misbar found that the video dates back to February 2017 and depicts U.S. Navy sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) conducting an operational test of the Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) in the Pacific Ocean. CIWS serves as a defensive system used by naval ships to counter various threats, including anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, small high-speed surface vehicles, helicopters, and surface mines.

Destruction of Houthi Boats South of the Red Sea

This claim circulated following the U.S. Central Command's announcement about the destruction of three Houthi-affiliated boats by U.S. Navy helicopters in the southern Red Sea. This action was in response to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou container ship, reporting an attack by four small Houthi boats.

According to a statement released on December 31 by the U.S. Central Command, small boats originating from areas controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen fired upon the Maersk Hangzhou ship. These boats approached within 20 meters of the vessel and attempted to board it. The ship's security squad responded with gunfire, and helicopters from the aircraft carriers USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Gravelly (DDG 107) answered the distress call. In self-defense, Navy helicopters engaged, resulting in the sinking of three out of the four small boats, resulting in the deaths of their crews. The fourth boat fled the area.

The Houthi Attack on the Maersk Hangzhou Ship

On the other hand, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthi Ansar Allah group, released a statement claiming that “American forces attacked three Yemeni naval vessels, resulting in the martyrdom and loss of ten of its members. The incident allegedly occurred while the Yemeni Navy was carrying out its official duties to enhance security and stability, safeguard maritime navigation, as well as fulfill Yemen's humanitarian and moral obligation to stop Israeli ships and those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine from passing through the Red Sea."

Saree also pointed out that the Maersk Hangzhou container ship was heading to the ports of occupied Palestine when Houthi forces targeted it. The targeting happened due to the crew's refusal to comply with warnings from the Yemeni naval forces.

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