ISTANBUL

Shipping giant Maersk said Sunday it has temporarily halted its operations through the Red Sea following a missile attack on a vessel by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

In a statement, the Danish company said operations through the Red Sea will be suspended for 48 hours.

The move came shortly after container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported a missile attack early Sunday as it crossed the Bab al-Mandab Strait and another attack by four Houthi small boats.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its helicopters responded to a distress call from the vessel in the Red Sea and exchanged fire with the Houthi boats.

“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.”

No damage was reported to US personnel or equipment.

Maersk had suspended the passage of its vessels through the Red Sea on Dec. 15 amid Houthi attacks on Israel-bound ships, before it resumed operations on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Denmark said it plans to send a frigate to the Red Sea due to the Houthi attacks on commercial ships transiting the area.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting what they say are Israel-bound vessels in the southern Red Sea. It said the attacks aim to support Palestinians under Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Dec. 18, the creation of a multinational mission -- Operation Prosperity Guardian -- to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi