BEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. military says its forces opened fire on and killed several Houthi rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea. The confrontation marks an escalation in a maritime conflict linked to the war in Gaza. And a White House official says, “We’re going to act in a self-defense going forward.” U.S. Central Command said a Navy crew first shot down two missiles fired at a commercial ship late Saturday. The Navy said four small boats attacked the same ship with small arms fire early Sunday. Central Command says the attackers fired on US military helicopters and they fired back, sinking three of the boats. The Houthis acknowledged 10 of their fighters were killed