Combined Maritime Forces warns ships to avoid Bab al-Mandeb Strait

The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has warned all ships to “stay well away from Bab al-Mandeb,” tanker body INTERTANKO said in a note circulated to its members. “The threat period for shipping is expected to last for several days,” the note, seen by Reuters, read, according to Report.

CMF is a multinational maritime partnership led by the US from Bahrain, the base for the US Navy Fifth Fleet. CMF has 39 members, including NATO and European states, regional countries and other nations.

INTERTANKO represents the greater part of the world’s independent tanker fleet, with about 185 independent member companies encompassing more than 4,000 vessels.