The US Central Command (CENTCOM) just issued this statement on their rescue of the tanker that Houthi militants seized earlier today.
And the subsequent attack by the Houthis, who fired two ballistic missiles at the US naval vessel.
On Nov. 26, the USS MASON (DDG 87), with allied ships from our coalition counter-piracy task force (TF 151), and associated aircraft responded to a distress call from the M/V CENTRAL PARK, a commercial vessel, that they were under attack by an unknown entity. Upon arrival,… pic.twitter.com/ASmM3b0xrf
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 27, 2023
Below is the full statement:
On Nov. 26, the USS MASON (DDG 87), with allied ships from our coalition counter-piracy task force (TF 151), and associated aircraft responded to a distress call from the M/V CENTRAL PARK, a commercial vessel, that they were under attack by an unknown entity. Upon arrival, coalition elements demanded release of the vessel. 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.
At approximately 0141 on Nov. 27 Sanaa time, two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen toward the general location of the USS MASON (DDG 87) and M/V CENTRAL PARK. The missiles landed in the Gulf of Aden approximately ten nautical miles from the ships. The USS MASON (DDG87), which is part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, was concluding its response to the M/V CENTRAL PARK 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.”
[UPDATE]
It’s being reported this morning that the Pentagon is saying that the attack by five militants yesterday on the tanker ship was not from the Houthis:
An attempted hijacking of the Central Park yesterday was not carried out by Yemeni Houthis but appears to have been done by 5 Somali individuals, the Pentagon says.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) November 27, 2023
So then who fired the ballistic missiles that were about 10 miles off target? Centcom said last night the missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas. Why would they fire missiles if the attackers weren’t also Houthi?