After months of being held captive by Eritrean authorities, 49 Yemeni fishermen from Al-Khawkhah district in Hodeida province have finally returned home. The fishermen were released and arrived at the fish landing center in Al-Khokhah, controlled by coalition forces in the south of the province.
The Eritrean Navy had imprisoned the fishermen on Assab Island, confiscating their boats and equipment. This release comes after multiple instances of Yemeni fishermen being detained by the Eritrean Navy for allegedly crossing into their territorial waters.
Despite these repeated incidents, there has been no intervention from the coalition-backed government or forces associated with Tariq Afash, a pro-UAE leader in Mokha, western Yemen.
It is a relief to see these fishermen back with their families after a harrowing ordeal at the hands of Eritrean authorities. Hopefully, measures can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the safety of Yemeni fishermen at sea.