The American destroyer USS Mason
Middle East
“Fox News”: Two missiles fired by Al-Houthi failed to hit an American destroyer in the Gulf of Aden… and American forces arrested 5 people who attempted to hijack an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen
Two American officials told Fox News on Monday that the Houthis fired two ballistic missiles at the US destroyer USS Mason, after arresting five people who attempted to hijack a ship owned by an Israeli businessman in the Gulf of Aden.
According to sources, the American destroyer activated the air defense systems on board, but the two missiles ultimately failed to reach the destroyer and were lost at sea.
American officials have confirmed that the Pentagon is concerned about the type of recent escalation in the region.
Central Command said in a statement published on platform “X” that the US destroyer had received a distress call from the commercial tanker after it was attacked by an “unidentified entity”.
He explained that five armed men holding the tanker tried to escape after the forces arrived, but eventually surrendered, stressing that the crew of the commercial vessel was safe.
He said the two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen towards the American destroyer, but landed in the Gulf of Aden.
It quoted U.S. Central Command Commander Michael Corella as saying, “We will continue to work with allies and partners to ensure the safety and security of international shipping lanes… Maritime security is essential to regional stability.”
The American network Fox News reported today that the tanker was operated by a company owned by an Israeli businessman and was flying the flag of Liberia and was carrying a cargo of phosphoric acid yesterday, Sunday, off the coast of Yemen.
The network quoted a spokesperson for London-based owner Zodiac as saying the tanker was attacked by “suspected pirates” as it passed through the recommended international corridor, about 54 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.
The network explained that the five armed men seized the tanker after boarding it and tried to enter its safe room, but failed and left and were arrested as they returned to the coast of Yemen.
He pointed out that the US military fired warning shots as it chased the five militants as a helicopter flew overhead.
It is noted that the American warship pursuing them received support from a Japanese destroyer during the operation, adding that the five militants are being interrogated by the US military under anti-piracy authorities.
The American network quoted Zodiac as saying that the tanker and all its crew were fine and that the cargo was unharmed.