Tanker run by Israeli billionaire ‘hijacked’ near Yemen with 22 on board as US Navy ‘engage’ after rebel threat
A TANKER managed by an Israeli billionaire's firm was reportedly hijacked off the coast of Yemen today with 22 crew members on board.
It comes after Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who targeted an Israeli-owned ship last week, apparently threatened to attack the vessel.
The US navy has reportedly engaged in the area as other ships have been warned to avoid the surrounding waters after the Central Park was seized.
It is not completely clear yet who was behind the attack in the Aden Gulf, although according to Iran-backed Houthi rebels did threaten the ship if it did not divert to the Hodeida port.
And the company who manage the ship described it as "a suspected piracy incident", according to .
UK military issued a warning to sailors nearby that “two black-and-white craft carrying eight persons in military-style clothing”, had been spotted in the area.
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The surrounding waters are controlled by Yemen's government which has battled Iran-backed Houthi rebels for years.
Just last week another Israeli-owned cargo ship was hijacked by the Iran-backed militia in the Red Sea.
Chilling footage showed a chopper landing on the cargo carrier before several gunmen made their mad dash on board.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations put the November 19 hijacking as having occurred some 90 miles off the coast of Yemen's port city of Hodeida, near the coast of Eritrea.
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The Houthi militants stormed the desk and held the international crew of 25 at gunpoint during the brutal attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the capture of the cargo as "terrorism";.
Specific ownership of ships can be difficult to discern due to different companies owning stakes in or leasing out the vessels.
But reports suggest Central Park is managed by the London-based Zodiac Maritime company, which is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group.
Zodiac said in a statement: "Our priority is the safety of our 22 crew onboard."
The sailors on the besieged ship include Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian and Filipino nationals.
It is apparently carrying phosphoric acid.
Zodiac Maritime has also been targeted before amid conflict between Iran and Israel.
Two crew members were killed on board one of Zodiac's other ships, Mercer Street, in 2021.
The US identified the deadly drone attack to have come from Iran.
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United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, who issued the warning about eight people in military-style gear, later said radio reports implied an attack had occurred on the Central Park.
The Houthis - based in Yemen - previously vowed to target all ships owned by Israel or flying their flag in the Red Sea.
