White House asserts no intention for escalated conflict after US helicopters target and destroy Houthi vessels in Red Sea, resulting in crew fatalities
The White House denies seeking a broader Middle East conflict following the sinking of three Houthi boats in the Red Sea by US helicopters in response to an attack
On Sunday, the White House stated that it has no intention of escalating the conflict in the Middle East, following an incident in which US helicopters destroyed three Houthi boats in the Red Sea after being fired upon. This marks the first time this year that the US has taken such action against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group, which has been attacking commercial and merchant ships in the Red Sea.
The US has refrained from directly attacking the group in Yemen in order to prevent further escalation of the crisis. However, a spokesperson for the National Security Council stated on Sunday that the US will continue to act in self-defense. "We are not seeking a broader conflict in the region and we do not want a conflict with the Houthis. The ideal resolution would be for the Houthis to cease these attacks, as we have repeatedly emphasized," John Kirby said on ABC News.
Four small boats from the "Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen" launched an attack on the Maersk Hangzhou on Saturday using small arms, and attempted to board the merchant vessel, as per a statement from US Central Command. The statement also mentioned that a security team on board had retaliated with gunfire.
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The USS Eisenhower and Gravely helicopters were dispatched by CENTCOM to respond to the distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, which was the second call in less than 24 hours. The Houthi boats fired on the helicopters, prompting them to return fire in self-defense. As a result, three of the four small boats were sunk and their crews were killed, while the fourth boat fled the area. According to the statement, there was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.
CNN has requested a comment from Maersk regarding the incident. The Houthis have carried out numerous assaults on commercial ships since October 7, citing solidarity with Hamas in their conflict with Israel.
The US has sent warships to the Red Sea and recently initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational maritime coalition, to enhance security in the crucial global shipping lane. President Joe Biden has approved attacks on Iranian proxy groups in Iraq and Syria that have targeted American troops, but has refrained from targeting the Houthis in Yemen.
"Our national security interests in the region are significant and we are committed to deploying the necessary forces to protect those interests and act in self-defense in the future," Kirby stated. When asked about the possibility of a preemptive strike in the region, Kirby reaffirmed the White House's stance.
"We are considering all options, but we have conveyed a clear message to the Houthis publicly and to our allies and partners in the region privately that we are taking these threats seriously, and we will make informed decisions in the future," he stated.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Lucas Lilieholm.
