| Reported: 10 June 2026 | Position: Not Confirmed |
| Location: 88 nm Southwest of Balhaf, Yemen | |
Incident Details. UKMTO has received a report of an incident 88nm southwest of Balhaf, Yemen, involving a cargo vessel approached by one small craft with six armed persons onboard. The reporting stated that there was an exchange of fire between the small craft and the cargo vessel’s Armed Security Team, after which the small craft turned away. Authorities are investigating. Due to the continued threat of armed approaches and possible PAG activity in the area, vessels are advised to transit with caution, maintain enhanced vigilance, and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
Fig1.Location of Incident – 88nm southwest of Balhaf, Yemen.
Comment. This incident occurred close to the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). While fishing skiffs in the Gulf of Aden may carry multiple persons, a six-person armed crew, combined with a direct approach toward a merchant vessel and an exchange of fire with the vessel’s Armed Security Team, is more consistent with a hostile approach than routine local pattern of life. The incident follows UKMTO Advisory 061-26, which reported multiple suspicious skiff approaches in the Gulf of Aden. Authorities are investigating and attribution has not yet been confirmed.
Assessment. The incident should be treated as a significant armed approach, but not yet definitively attributed to piracy, smuggling, or Yemen-related conflict activity. The location, weapons, exchange of fire, and recent suspicious skiff reporting indicate an elevated small-craft threat environment. Vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and IRTC should maintain enhanced vigilance, apply BMP Maritime Security measures, and report suspicious activity to UKMTO.
