SANAA: A tanker associated with an Israel-affiliated company was seized off the coast of Yemen on Sunday by unidentified armed individuals, as confirmed by a US defense official. The M/V Central Park, owned and managed by a UK-based, Israel-linked company, was reportedly boarded by armed individuals near the port city of Aden.
Maritime security firm Ambrey reported that US naval forces are engaged in the situation. The vessel’s owner, Zodiac Maritime, stated that among the 22 crew members were nationals from Russia, Vietnam, Bulgaria, India, Georgia, the Philippines, and a Turkish captain.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels had issued threats to attack the tanker if it did not divert to the port of Hodeida, according to Ambrey. Intercepted communications from a US coalition warship advised the Central Park to disregard these messages.
Houthis Targeting Israel with Drone and Missile Strikes
This incident follows a recent suspected Iranian drone attack damaging an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Indian Ocean, and the seizure of another Israel-linked cargo vessel by the Houthis in the southern Red Sea.
Tensions in the region have escalated as Houthis launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
