Aden - The Yemeni Coast Guard, operating under the internationally recognized government, has successfully intercepted a smuggling vessel carrying 41 African migrants in the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, southwest of Yemen. The operation took place on October 12, 2025, and marks a significant step in curbing illegal migration and human trafficking in the region.

According to an official statement from the Coast Guard Authority, the intercepted boat was transporting 15 women and 26 men, along with a crew consisting of a captain from Djibouti and two Yemeni nationals. The vessel was powered by a 40-horsepower Daihatsu engine and appeared to be part of a broader smuggling network operating across the Red Sea.

Upon interception, the migrants were provided with initial humanitarian care, including medical attention and basic necessities. Authorities confirmed that legal procedures have been initiated against those involved in the smuggling operation, and the suspects have been referred for investigation.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, has long been a hotspot for irregular migration, particularly from the Horn of Africa. Migrants often risk perilous journeys in overcrowded and unsafe vessels, seeking passage to Yemen and beyond.

This latest operation comes amid heightened efforts by Yemeni authorities to combat human trafficking and illegal migration, especially following recent tragedies involving capsized boats and migrant deaths off the Yemeni coast.