Militants in latest ship attack near Yemen were likely Somali, not Houthi rebels, Pentagon says
The Pentagon says a group of five militants who seized another commercial ship near Yemen were likely Somali and non-Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and were captured by US forces after destroying the MV Central Park in the Gulf of Aden had fled.
By means ofTARA COPP Associated Press
November 27, 2023, 12:01 PM
An undated photo released by Zodiac Maritime shows the tanker Central Park. Attackers seized the tanker linked to Israel off the coast of Aden, Yemen, on Sunday, November 26, 2023, authorities said. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, this comes as at least two other maritime attacks in recent days have been linked to the war between Israel and Hamas. (Zodiac Maritime via AP)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A group of five militants who seized another commercial ship near Yemen, believed to be Somali and non-Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, were captured by US forces on Sunday after fleeing the MV Central Park in the Gulf of Aden , said Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Monday.
Shortly afterwards, ballistic missiles had been fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, and the Pentagon has not ruled out that the Houthis were somehow linked to the attack carried out by Somalis.
The attacks on commercial ships have previously been carried out by Houthis and are part of a larger increase in violence in the region due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government in Aden has said this was a Houthi attack on Central Park, a Liberian-flagged ship operated by Zodiac Maritime. The ship sent out a distress call and troops from the USS Mason, an American destroyer, responded.
