Denmark says attack on Maersk merchant vessel ‘completely unacceptable’

COPENHAGEN, Denmark

Denmark said Sunday that an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on a merchant vessel owned by Danish company Maersk was “completely unacceptable.”

In a post on X, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen as saying that “the unprovoked attack against a Maersk ship is completely unacceptable. Unfortunately underlines the severe situation in the Red Sea.”

“This is why we wish to send a frigate to the area to help ward off similar attacks,” he added.

Denmark will submit a resolution to parliament in January to contribute to the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian with a frigate that can be deployed from the end of the month, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said earlier in a statement.

Operation Prosperity Guardian is a defensive coalition of more than 20 nations to ensure billions of dollars’ worth of commerce can flow freely through a vital shipping chokepoint in Red Sea waters off Yemen.

The US said Sunday that it fired “in self-defense” and sunk three of four Houthi boats, killing their crews.

“On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats.

“The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew-served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X.

A security team aboard the MAERSK HANZGHOU engaged in fire, and in response to a distress call, US helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) were also dispatched.”

After being warned verbally, people in the small boats opened fire on the US helicopters.

“The US Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area,” it added.

No damage to US personnel and equipment was reported.

Yemen later responded with a statement.

“The Yemeni armed forces, while bleeding in the midst of the battle to support the Al-Aqsa Flood (operation), these martyrs for the sake of Palestine, confirm that the American enemy bears the consequences of this crime and its repercussions and that its military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen from performing its religious, moral and humanitarian duty in support and victory for the oppressed in Palestine.

“We also call on the rest of the countries not to engage in the dangerous American behavior, as it will have negative repercussions that may affect everyone,” it said.