On 13 February 2020, the U.S. Maritime Administration issued a Maritime Alert regarding a potential threat in the southern Red Sea, which reads in part as follows:
“Threat Type: Mines in the Water
“Geographic Area: Southern Red Sea, Maritime Boundary between Saudi Arabia and Yemen
“A maritime threat has been reported in coastal waters between Midi, Yemen and Jizan, Saudi Arabia. The nature of the event is reported to be mines in the water that may have drifted north from Yemen following a seasonal change of current flow. The confirmed threat is predominately located in the area bounded by: (A) 16-45.6N 042-15.7E; (B) 15-41.5N 042-39.4E; (C) 15-54.0N 043-02E; (D) 16-58.N 042-35.1E, but the threat may extend outside of it. Exercise caution when transiting this region. Further updates will be provided when available. This alert will automatically expire on February 20, 2020.”
