US Navy frees hijacked tanker in the Gulf of Aden
Gunmen seize the chemical tanker "Central Park" in the Red Sea. The ship is allegedly linked to Israel. The US Navy intervenes - and secures the ship. It is not the first incident of its kind.
The US Navy has freed a tanker hijacked by gunmen in the Gulf of Aden. The chemical tanker "Central Park" had sent out a distress call, the US military announced. The navy ship "USS Mason", which was cruising nearby, demanded the release of the tanker. Five armed men then attempted to take off in a speedboat. They were pursued and arrested. The tanker belongs to a British company allegedly linked to Israel.
Two missiles were fired towards the two ships from parts of Yemen controlled by the insurgent Huthi. They crashed into the sea around ten nautical miles away from the ships. The Houthis, who are allied with Iran, had captured another Israeli-related freighter in the Red Sea last week. The Houthis also fired rockets and drones in the direction of Israel. The Houthis initially did not comment on the information.
USA blames Iran
Just a few days earlier, an Israeli ship in the Indian Ocean was allegedly attacked by Iran. A US military representative said that the USA had information that "a Shaykh 136 drone struck a ship in the Indian Ocean". The ship, which is said to belong to an Israeli businessman, was slightly damaged on Friday. However, there were no casualties on board. Drones of the type Shahed 136 are part of the arsenal of the Iranian armed forces - which points to an Iranian attack.
The US has also blamed Iran for unspecified attacks on ships in the region in recent years. The government in Tehran has denied involvement.
The tanker "Central Park," linked to Israel, was previously seized in the Red Sea by unnamed forces. This incident occurred before the hijacking in the Gulf of Aden, where the US Navy intervened and secured the ship. Meanwhile, international shipping routes remain a concern due to attacks by the Houthi rebels, who are allegedly backed by Iran.
The controversy surrounding Iran's involvement in such incidents escalated further when the Houthis captured another Israeli-related freighter in the Red Sea. This acted as a prelude to their missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, with some missiles reportedly failing close to US and Israeli vessels in the region.
Despite accusations from the USA, the Iranian government has consistently denied any involvement in these ship attacks in the broader region.
Source: www.ntv.de
