A merchant vessel was approached by three small craft approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen, on February 17, in an incident later classified as suspicious activity, UKMTO reported.
One skiff carrying five individuals approached the vessel directly, while two additional skiffs were observed in the surrounding area. Some shots were fired from one of the skiffs, but no weapons were aimed at the vessel. UKMTO clarified that the shots were solely for warning.
Yemen’s coastguard identified the group as a local militia rather than Houthi militants or traditional pirates.
The area is outside the usual Somali piracy zones and highlights ongoing security complexities in the western Indian Ocean. The incident underscores that, despite a relative lull in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea since late 2025, armed groups such as fishermen, smugglers, or local militias remain active. Shipping lines testing Red Sea transits after previous detours must remain vigilant.
Operators are advised to maintain Best Management Practices, coordinate with regional naval forces, and promptly report any unusual activity. The Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean continue to pose risks for commercial shipping, even as headline-grabbing attacks decline.
