RISK INTELLIGENCE REPORTS - SEPT 2025
Members are invited to consider the most recent Risk Intelligence reports provided at the annexes as follows:
· Annex A – Monthly Security Update
· Annex B – Middle East Update
· Annex C – Northern Black Sea Security Update
Annex A provides a monthly security update across Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, and South East Asia, along with a specific focus on the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) role supporting maritime security. In August, the UNSC held a debate on maritime security during which members seemed divided on what the scope of the UN should be within the global maritime community. The report notes that while member states differed on the limits of the Council’s remit covering topics such as the illegal exploitation of marine resources and specific territorial disputes, the threat landscape for merchant ships is becoming increasingly complex.
Annex B summarises the current security situation across the Middle East. Around the Southern Red Sea/Gulf of Aden, significant violence between the Houthis and Israel has resumed after an Israeli strike killed several cabinet members of the Houthi government. The Houthis retaliated by conducting two strikes against vessels in the Red Sea and kidnapping 11 UN personnel in Sana’a. It has been assessed that the Houthis are keen to hit targets with Israeli linkages and are seeking to respond further to the recent Israeli strikes by targeting US and Western European vessels.
Annex C summarises the security situation in the Black Sea, where Russian forces have continued to target Ukrainian infrastructure. Russia has targeted a naval vessel on the Danube River, Izmail, and Chornomorsk port infrastructure. Both Izmail and Chornomorsk have been targeted by Russian forces before, meaning these strikes do not indicate new or changing attack patterns.
In accordance with the scope of the agreement between ICS and Risk Intelligence, members are requested not to circulate the report further in its entirety. Members may precis the report or use extracts from it to help advise members on key issues or to assist in enquiries. In such cases, Risk Intelligence should be acknowledged as the source of the information.
MC(25)128 -Annex A – RI Monthly Intelligence Report Sept 2025