UKMTO alerts about suspicious activity in Yemeni waters

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident of "suspicious activity" recorded 98 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. This occurred after an unidentified boat approached a commercial vessel.

"The Company Security Officer (CSO) of a cargo vessel reported that an unidentified speedboat (skiff) approached their vessel," the British agency reported.

"Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities investigate," it added.

The position 98 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla places the vessel in the waters of the Gulf of Aden, in the western basin of the Indian Ocean and on the access route to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea.

Light speedboats are often used for reconnaissance or intelligence tasks, as well as for armed boarding attempts, vessel hijacking, or armed robbery.

It is worth remembering that southwest Yemen is within the range of anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operated by Houthis from Yemeni territory.