Yemen - Security

Overall Crime and Safety:

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is still advising against all travel to Yemen. This includes the mainland and all islands. Their advice is that if you’re in Yemen, you should leave immediately.

Cruisers are strongly encouraged to avoid the coastline of Yemen.  Socotra is the only place which is relatively safe for cruisers.  Wade Alarie, admin for the Red Sea Passage Facebook Group, advises; "Cruisers need to be aware that both government and other armed elements are sometimes seen in the area. A yacht’s passage could easily be mistaken by either government or opposition forces and that may bring unwanted attention. In May 2022, there was an attempted boarding of a French trimaran by (what I believe to have been) anti-government forces between the mainland of Yemen and the Hanish Islands. Just - stay away from mainland Yemen, and particularly from the Hanish Islands."

Maritime Issues:

• While yachts are transiting the Red Sea successfully (54 between February and June 2024) there were several unsettling incidents involving yachts being approached by small skiffs with several men aboard.  See this report for the latest updates.
• Red Sea:  Majority of Yachts Completing Successful Transits
• Vessels are strongly advised to avoid passing between the island of Socotra and the African mainland, while those approaching from the east through the Gulf of Aden should stay well clear of both the Somali and Yemeni coasts, as both are considered to be dangerous.
• EUNANFOR Atalanta has put out a strong warning (May 2024) for the area around Socotra island closer to Yemen. EUNAVFOR Atalanta have warned that at least two groups are thought to be active in that area.
• While it is commercial vessels that are being targeted, yachts should be aware of the current situation if planning a transit to or from the Red Sea.
• While the number of pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa fell dramatically since 2011, with only eight reported attacks in 2017, three in 2018 and none in 2019, EUNAVFOR Atalanta is reporting that since November 2023, there has been a notable surge in reported events that could potentially escalate into piracy attacks off the Somali coast.  See this Piracy Threat Update from Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) as well as their current Advice for Sailing Vessels.
• Jabal Zugar and Hamish Islands: Keep away from this area. A yacht stopping for emergency repairs in February 2016 was shot at from ashore. Current local advice is that is is very dangerous to come close to the Yemeni islands in the Red Sea, especially Honiesh.
• Aden: Used to be a useful stop on the way to or from the Red Sea, but it fell to rebels in April 2015 and cruisers warn that Aden is now very hostile.
• Northern Yemen doesn't encourage visitors and should be avoided. Three Polish yachts were fired upon off the main port of Hodeidah in December 2017.
• See also this news item Worrying Piracy Incident of Cape Verdes which has additional information from EUNAVFOR/Atalanta.

Reported Incidents:

• February 2016:Yacht sheltering at Hanish Islands (Jazirat al Hanish al Kabir) was shot at several times from ashore. See report here.
• December 2017: Three Polish yachts fired upon 20nm SW of Hodeidah. See report here.

Last updated:  July 2024