Suspicious Vessel Approach – 105nm SE Nishtun

UKMTO reporting indicates that that a vessel has reported being approached by four small craft. 

Reporting indicates that that a vessel has reported being approached 34nm NNE Point B IRTC, 105nm SE Yemeni Port of Nishtun. The vessel is reported to have been approached by 4 small craft containing 2 personnel within each. 

With This is the fist incident of this nature within the Eastern Gulf of Aden within 2021 with the last recorded incident recorded as an attack on the 4th December 20. 

The reported approach is understood to have occurred 105nm SE the Yemeni Port of Nishtun. The port of Nishtun has long been a key Saudi asset, both in the Yemeni Civil War, and long-term agroeconomic interests. The Saudi-led Arab Coalition continues to operate out of Nishtun, with naval assets often docking for operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. An important mid-point between the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, Nishtun has been considered an end-point for oil pipelines running for Saudi Arabia and through inland Yemen.Iranian forces have been rumoured to be using the Al Mahra region (and by extension Nishtun) to smuggle weapons, drones and missile parts to Houthi rebels. In January 21 the Saudis are understood to have prevented commercial vessels from unloading goods at Nishtun for several days with no explanation given.