On 18 March 2025, IRG police forces arrested 115 Ethiopian illegal migrants, including 63 women, and 52 Somali illegal migrants in addition to 3 Somali sailors, likely human smugglers, in Kidah on the Coast of Rudum (Rudum, Shabwah) after their boat called 'Al Farouk' illegally entered Yemeni waters.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary On March 18, 2025, IRG police in the Kida area of Rudum coast, Shabwah Governorate, Yemen, arrested approximately 170 Ethiopian and Somali illegal migrants along with 3 crew members suspected of human trafficking. This incident is classified as a strategic development but represents a low-level security matter, with limited direct supply-chain disruption risk.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Enhanced security along Yemen's southern coast: Increased enforcement activities in Shabwah Governorate coastal areas may temporarily affect small-scale maritime transport routes
• Arabian Sea eastern waters monitoring: Potential for commercial vessels transiting nearby waters to experience route adjustments or security inspection delays
• Regional port operations: Strengthened security checks at small port facilities along the Rudum coast may cause minor delays in local logistics activities

3) Watch points

• Expansion of Yemen Coast Guard enforcement activities: Need to track indirect impacts of future similar large-scale arrest operations on commercial shipping
• Changes in eastern Arabian Sea maritime traffic patterns: Monitor potential route diversions or delays for cargo vessels transiting the vicinity