An American destroyer has aided three Iranian civilian mariners who reported being attacked by pirates off Yemen, according to a statement from the US Navy on Wednesday.

A team from the USS Howard provided medical aid, food and water to the fishermen and helped make repairs to their boat on Monday.

“In coordination with the European Union Naval Force and the Turkish-led Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151), which is a part of the Combined Maritime Forces, the U.S. Navy provided assistance to an Iranian fishing vessel after a reported piracy attack Oct. 24 south of Socotra, Yemen,” said Lt. Christina M. Gibson, spokesperson for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

“The Iranian coast guard called U.S. Naval Forces Central Command to report the incident and seek assistance for the fishing vessel. NAVCENT coordinated with the European Union Naval Force, who sent a patrol aircraft to investigate the incident. The U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) and the CTF 151 attached Japan Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer JS Amagiri (DD-154) responded to the vessel's location,” she added.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:51 - GMT 06:51