Israel-linked tanker in Middle East safe from attackers after US Navy responds, officials say
- Unidentified attackers seized Central Park, a small chemical tanker, off the coast of Yemen on Sunday
- A US Navy warship responded to a distress call and secured the seized ship, an official said
A US Navy warship responded to a distress call from a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Aden that had been seized by armed individuals and the vessel is now safe, US officials said on Sunday.
The tanker, which had been carrying a cargo of phosphoric acid, was identified as the Central Park by the vessel’s company. The officials did not identify the attackers.
In a statement, the US military said the USS Mason, with help from allied ships, demanded that the commercial ship be released by the attackers.
Five armed individuals tried to escape on a fast boat but were chased by the US warship and they eventually surrendered.
The statement added that two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi controlled parts of Yemen towards the general direction of the Mason and Central Park, but they landed about 10 nautical miles away from them and there was no damage or injuries.