US says tanker attackers captured, missiles fired from Yemen

The US military’s Central Command says its forces, including the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mason, responded to the seizure of the Central Park tanker and demanded that armed assailants release the ship after it sent out a distress call Sunday.

“Subsequently, five armed individuals debarked the ship and attempted to flee via their small boat,” Central Command says. “The Mason pursued the attackers resulting in their eventual surrender.”

The Central Command does not identify the men, but says a missile launch from Houthi-controlled Yemen followed early Monday morning.

“The missiles landed in the Gulf of Aden approximately ten nautical miles from the ships,” the statement says. “The USS Mason … 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.”

The ship is linked to Zodiac Maritime, which is controlled by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.