Saudi Arabia: Warships in Eritrea

Satellite imagery has revealed ships from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF)’s Gulf-based Eastern Fleet have been seen in the Eritrean port of Assab for the first time, according to defence specialist IHS Janes. The Two Badr class corvettes and one Al-Jawf class mine countermeasures vessel were spotted docked in the port on 15 November. Both types of ship are used by the Eastern Fleet in the Gulf, but not by the Western Fleet. The unusual deployment may be due to the need for additional ships to enforce a naval blockade on Yemen.