A chemical tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire was freed by a US warship after attackers boarded the vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.
The Liberian-flagged Central Park “was involved in a suspected piracy incident” about 87km off Somalia, according to Zodiac Maritime, part of Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.
The company and the US military said the crew were safe and not harmed.
Photo: AP
The USS Mason, a destroyer, had responded to a distress call from the Central Park, which said it was under attack from an unknown entity, US Central Command said yesterday morning.
“Five armed individuals debarked the ship and attempted to flee via their small boat,” Centcom said on X. “The Mason pursued the attackers resulting in their eventual surrender.”
Later, at about 2:40am Dubai time yesterday, two missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Mason and the Central Park. They landed about 16km from the ships and there was no damage to either vessel, Centcom said.
The incident underscores the rise in tensions in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last month. The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group based in Yemen, support Hamas and have fired missiles toward Israel in recent weeks. They have also threatened Israeli ships and, on Nov. 19, seized a vehicle carrier called the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea. It has yet to be released.
The group had warned the Central Park that it would attack if it did not change course to the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
“Maritime domain security is essential to regional stability,” Centcom commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said. “We will continue to work with allies and partners to ensure the safety and security of international shipping lanes.”
Zodiac said the Central Park had a 22-member crew from six countries, under the command of a Turkish captain. The vessel is carrying phosphoric acid, it said.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said it was “aware that a vessel was boarded by unauthorized persons” and advised ships in the vicinity to exercise caution.
The Houthis’ territories are well positioned to target vessels transiting from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and on to Egypt’s Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
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