Red Sea – Thirty Yemeni fishermen have returned home after being released by Eritrean authorities following several days of forced detention in the Red Sea, in an incident that highlights ongoing violations against workers in this vital sector.

According to statements from the freed fishermen, two Eritrean navy gunboats intercepted them while they were fishing inside Yemeni territorial waters near the international shipping lane. 

The fishermen said they were taken at gunpoint to an Eritrean island, where they were subjected to questioning without any legal justification, before being allowed to return aboard only one of their vessels.

The fishermen further confirmed that Eritrean forces confiscated their second boat along with fishing equipment, catches of fish, and personal belongings. 

They stressed that such systematic practices have inflicted heavy financial losses and are aimed at destroying their sole source of livelihood.