Chemical tanker captured in the Gulf of Aden

Armed individuals seized a tanker carrying phosphoric acid in the Gulf of Aden, according to the ship’s management company and a U.S. defense official. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters, following the seizure of an Israel-linked cargo ship by Yemen’s Houthis in the southern Red Sea. The group, which also fired missiles and drones at Israel, has vowed to attack more Israeli ships.

The tanker, Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd and owned by the Israeli Ofer family, was involved in a suspected piracy incident while crossing international waters off the coast of Somalia. The ship was carrying a multinational crew and a full load of phosphoric acid, used mainly for fertilizers. The U.S. and coalition forces are closely monitoring the situation, and the Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Agency urged other ships in the area to exercise caution.

The U.S. has blamed Iran for unclaimed attacks on ships in the region, but Iran has denied involvement. The recent wave of attacks comes after a brutal war broke out between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, leading to casualties on both sides. Thirteen Israelis and four Thai nationals arrived in Israel after being released from captivity by Hamas.

Source .