Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
A small livestock carrier named Merinos Livestock was briefly held on Thursday while sailing near Yemen’s coastline. The ship was traveling from Bosaso, Somalia, to the Port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia when the incident occurred. The detention happened in the Red Sea, near the Hanish Islands, about 30 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port city of Mocha.
Although full details remain unclear, maritime security sources believe the vessel may not have been directly targeted. Instead, it’s thought that the ship’s location and unusual behavior raised alarms among local authorities, possibly leading to its interception.
One of the main reasons the ship drew suspicion was its decision to switch off its Automatic Identification System (AIS). The AIS is a tracking tool used by ships to communicate their position to other vessels and maritime monitoring stations. Turning it off while traveling in such a sensitive region raised concern.
Disabling AIS is not uncommon in this part of the world. The waters off the coast of Yemen are known to be dangerous, especially because of the ongoing threat from armed groups like the Houthi militia, also known as Ansar Allah. These groups have been active in the region for years and are known to interfere with maritime traffic. Some vessels choose to switch off their tracking systems to reduce the risk of being detected and targeted by such forces. However, doing so can also increase suspicion from coast guards and naval authorities.
While no official explanation has been released, reports suggest that Yemeni coast guard forces may have been involved in detaining the vessel. Still, no armed group has come forward to claim responsibility for the temporary seizure, and the identity of those behind the move remains uncertain.
After a short period of questioning or inspection, Merinos Livestock was released and allowed to continue its journey to Saudi Arabia. There were no reports of damage to the vessel or harm to the crew. According to local sources, the ship’s detention appeared to be based on suspicion rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
The Red Sea corridor, especially near Yemen’s western coastline, remains a highly volatile and sensitive region. The presence of armed groups, ongoing military tensions, and incidents like this one highlight the constant risks faced by commercial and livestock ships moving through the area.
Security experts warn that ships sailing through these waters should continue to exercise extreme caution. While disabling AIS can help ships avoid hostile groups, it also makes them more likely to be stopped by coast guards or international naval patrols. In this case, Merinos Livestock was fortunate to be released quickly without any further escalation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the growing insecurity in international shipping lanes near conflict zones, especially around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. As tensions in the region persist, commercial ships, especially those from Somalia heading toward Gulf countries, are urged to maintain clear communication, follow safe maritime practices, and cooperate fully with any legitimate naval authority when approached.