The US Navy has destroyed Houthi small boats whose crew attempted to board a container ship in the Red Sea. Four vessels from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen fired upon the Maersk Hangzhou and got within metres of the ship, the US military said. Helicopters from nearby US warships responded to a distress call – and, after being fired upon, sank three boats in self-defence. The crews were killed and the fourth boat fled the area.<br />''<br />''Houthi forces have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November, launching more than 100 drone and missile attacks on vessels passing through the vital shipping lane.<br />