Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, fired missiles at a US Navy destroyer near Yemen's coast, representing a major increase in tensions with US military presence in the region.
The USS Mason reacted to a distress signal from the Central Park, a chemical tanker associated with Israel, in the Gulf of Aden. This tanker had been taken over by armed insurgents, suspected to be Houthi rebels, as per Mail Online.
Biden Delists Houthi Rebels Amid Yemen Tensions
The Houthi rebels in Yemen were categorized as a terrorist group by the US during the Trump administration, but President Joe Biden delisted them in 2021. The company Zodiac Maritime, responsible for the Central Park, confirmed the tanker's identity following its seizure.
After the Navy tried to apprehend the armed hijackers, the Houthi rebels launched two ballistic missiles at the USS Mason. Both missiles fell short and ended up in the sea. Many view this incident as a major escalation, highlighting the Houthi rebels' direct threat to US Navy ships.
The US Central Command released a statement providing a comprehensive account of the events, underscoring the safety of the Central Park's crew and confirming no harm or casualties.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of USCENTCOM, emphasized the crucial role of maritime security in maintaining regional stability. He committed to working alongside allies and partners to protect international shipping routes.
This incident is part of a string of attacks in the waters of the Middle East since the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7. Additionally, the incident occurred following the Houthi rebels' capture of an Israeli-affiliated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, which raised concerns about further attacks on Israeli vessels.
The Central Park is a relatively small chemical tanker with a capacity of 19,998 metric tons. It is overseen by Zodiac Maritime Ltd, an international ship management firm headquartered in London and owned by the Ofer family of Israel, according to i24 News.
Tanker's Suspected Pirate Encounter
The vessel flies the flag of Liberia, was built in 2015, and is under the ownership of Clumvez Shipping Inc, as indicated by data from LSEG.
Zodiac Maritime verified that the Central Park was caught in a suspected piracy event while navigating international waters, roughly 54 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. The vessel was transporting phosphoric acid, primarily utilized in fertilizer production.
The company extended its appreciation to the coalition forces for their prompt intervention in safeguarding assets in the region and enforcing international maritime regulations. There has been no immediate comment from Houthi officials.
Houthi officials have not provided an immediate response or comment on the incident. The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency acknowledged a potential attack in the southwest of Aden and cautioned other vessels to be vigilant.
In recent times, the US has attributed unclaimed attacks on multiple ships in the region to Iran, even though Tehran has consistently denied any involvement. This event happened subsequent to the reported unauthorized boarding of the commercial ship Galaxy Leader by military personnel using a helicopter on November 19.
Additionally, two ballistic missiles were launched from regions controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen toward the USS Mason, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, as reported by the US Central Command on Sunday night. These missiles struck approximately 11 miles away from the ship, causing no harm or damage.
The USS Mason is a component of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz to assist in CENTCOM operations in the Arabian Gulf.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen had previously captured the cargo vessel "Galaxy Leader," which was initially thought to be owned by Israel but was subsequently sold to a Japanese company. This incident was part of a larger pattern of threats by Iranian-backed groups against Israel and its interests amid the Gaza conflict with Hamas, CBS News reported.
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