In a tense incident over the weekend, five armed individuals from Somalia launched an attack on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden, according to initial assessments from the Pentagon. The attack, believed to be piracy-related, prompted a swift response from the United States Navy and allied ships in the region.

The cargo ship, named Central Park, sent out distress calls on Sunday as it came under attack. The destroyer USS Mason, along with other counter-piracy task force ships, quickly arrived at the scene. Interestingly, three Chinese navy vessels were also present nearby, but did not respond to the distress call.

Upon arrival, the coalition ships demanded the release of the Central Park. The small boat used by the attackers was soon abandoned as they fled. USS Mason pursued the fleeing individuals, firing gunshots but causing no injuries. The attackers were apprehended and are currently being held on board the Mason.

As the situation unfolded, two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen towards the general location of the Mason. Fortunately, the missiles landed harmlessly in the Gulf about 10 nautical miles away. However, the question of whether the Mason was the intended target is still being assessed by the Defense Department. If confirmed, this marks the first deliberate targeting of US maritime forces by Houthi rebels since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October.

In a separate development, the Pentagon spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, informed reporters that there have been 73 attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria since October 17, with the most recent attack occurring last Thursday. Ryder declined to connect the lack of attacks to the ongoing truce between Israel and Hamas, as the two parties agreed to extend the ceasefire for two days.

Adding to the overall tension, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group entered the Persian Gulf on Sunday, as announced by the military.

The Defense Department is continuing to assess whether the attackers have any connections to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The incident serves as a reminder of the persistent threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the ongoing regional tensions.