The United States arrested five people believed to be Somalis after they boarded an oil tanker off Yemen, the Pentagon announced yesterday.

The five gunmen left the tanker MV Central Park, owned by a UK-based company, after a US destroyer and coalition ships responded to an emergency.

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder told reporters, “Five militants tried to escape by small boat, and The Mason tracked down the attackers, which ultimately led to their surrender,” referring to the destroyer USS Mason. ».

Rider continued: “According to initial indications, these five individuals are Somalis,” describing the incident as “an operation clearly linked to piracy.”

After they boarded the ship the day before yesterday, the gunmen tried to reach the crew cabin of the tanker MV Central Park, but the crew was able to hide in a safe place, according to Ryder.