Cargo Ship (stock image)
A tanker seized by Iran-backed Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen on Sunday was freed in an assault by American forces operating in the Red Sea. The Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, was the second such ship taken by terrorists in the area.
When the ship was taken, Zodiac Maritime said “The Turkish-captained vessel has a multinational crew consisting of a crew of Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian and Filipino nationals. The vessel is carrying a full cargo of phosphoric acid.”
The US Military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) which covers the Middle East rescued the ship. In a statement, CENTCOM explained that, together with allied ships from its coalition counter-piracy task force (TF 151) and associated aircraft, it responded to a distress call from the M/V CENTRAL PARK, a commercial vessel that they were under attack by an unknown entity.
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“Upon arrival, coalition elements demanded release of the vessel,” said CENTCOM. “Subsequently, five armed individuals debarked the ship and attempted to flee via their small boat. The MASON pursued the attackers resulting in their eventual surrender. The crew of the M/V CENTRAL PARK is currently safe.”
US naval vessels in the area were also fired upon.
CENTCOM reported that at approximately 1:41 AM on Nov. 27 Yemen time, two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen toward the general location of the USS MASON (DDG 87) and the CENTRAL PARK. The missiles landed in the Gulf of Aden approximately ten nautical miles from the ships. The USS MASON, which is part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, was concluding its response to CENTRAL PARK’s distress call at the time of the missile launches. There was no damage or reported injuries from either vessel during this incident.
“Maritime domain security is essential to regional stability,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM commander. “We will continue to work with allies and partners to ensure the safety and security of international shipping lanes.”
Zodiac Maritime issued a statement saying, “We would like to thank the coalition forces who responded quickly, protecting assets in the area and upholding international maritime law.”
One week ago, the Galaxy Leader, which is owned by Israeli businessman Rami Ungar, was also hijacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen as it carried vehicles from Turkey to India.
