Live: US sinks Houthi boats used to attack merchant vessel in the Red Sea US Navy helicopters sank three small boats used by Iran-backed Houthi militants to attack a Maersk merchant vessel in the Red Sea, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday. The Yemen-based Houthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the vital Red Sea shipping lane with strikes they say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Read our live blog for all the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war.