The British Navy today warned of an entity impersonating the United Nations Yemen Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), directing commercial ships located near the port of Aden to the port of Hodeidah.

The British Navy said in a statement on Friday that the entity claims to represent UNVIM, and uses logos and clothing similar to the UN agency.

The statement added that the entity may try to blackmail ships or force them to go to the port of Hodeidah, which is a port under the control of the Houthi group.

The British Navy advised ships in the vicinity to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

This warning comes after the British Navy monitored the entity directing several commercial ships to the port of Hodeidah.

The United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen is a United Nations agency, whose mission is to monitor the movement of goods through Yemeni ports.

The UNVIM mechanism was established in 2018 pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2417, with the aim of ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the Yemeni people.