According to authorities, a tanker truck full of phosphoric acid, and with apparent links to Israel, was seized near the coast of Yemen on Sunday.
So far no group appears to have claimed responsibility for the attack.
London-based Zodiac Maritime, which is listed as the owner of the ship Central Park, confirmed the seizure and said later on Sunday that the ship’s crew had been in touch and reported that they and their cargo were “unharmed.”
“Our priority is the safety of our 22 crew members on board,” Zodiac initially said in a statement.
“The Turkish-captained ship has a multinational crew consisting of Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian and Filipino citizens. “The vessel is carrying a full cargo of phosphoric acid,” the company added.
“We would like to thank the coalition forces who responded quickly, protecting assets in the area and respecting international maritime law.”
Although based in the United Kingdom, Zodiac Maritime operates under Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac group.
AP
A Pentagon representative told the Post: “We are aware of reports of an attack on an Israeli-owned ship and have no additional details to provide at this time.”
The Pentagon added in a statement: “There are indications that an unknown number of unidentified armed individuals seized the M/V Central Park in the Gulf of Aden on November 26. U.S. and coalition forces are nearby and we are monitoring closely. the situation.”
The Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime tanker Central Park was seized off Yemen on Sunday.
Zodiac attributed the seizure to “an alleged hacking incident.”
Private intelligence company Ambrey confirmed the seizure, which is believed to have taken place in the Gulf of Aden.
Aden is largely under the control of Yemen’s internationally recognized government and its allies.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war with Houthi rebels, who have been responsible for occasional attacks on ships in the region in recent years.
A photograph released by the United States Central Command shows a strike group. United States Central Command (CENTCOM)/AFP
The area where Central Park was seized is believed to be a significant distance from Houthi stronghold territories, and Somali pirates generally do not operate there either.
Zodiac Maritime did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the publication.
Since the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, there has been an increase in attacks against the United States and other forces in the region.
The seizure of Central Park comes after an attack by a suspected Iranian drone against the container ship CMA CGM Symi, owned by another Israeli billionaire.
Iran did not take credit for that attack.
With postal cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn