"Although it is unclear how they would proceed, it may be similar in
nature to the attacks against the USS Cole in October 2000 and the M/V
Limburg in October 2002 where a small to mid-size boat laden with explosives
was detonated," Naval Intelligence said.
The navy cited the Gulf of Aden and Bab Al Mandab as the areas that
contained the greatest risk of Al Qaida attack. Both areas are near the
coast of Yemen.
"Information suggests that Al Qaida remains interested in maritime
attacks in the Bab Al Mandab Strait, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden along the
coast of Yemen," the navy said.
On March 10, the U.S. Transportation Department said Al Qaida could
attack merchant vessels with missiles. In an advisory, the department warned
ships in the Gulf of Aden to increase their alert, particularly in regional
ports.
"Although the time and location of such an attack are unknown, ships in
the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden along the coast of
Yemen are at the greatest risk of becoming targets of such an attack," the
Transportation Department said. "All vessels transiting the waters in the
vicinity of Yemen are urged to operate at a heightened state of readiness."
