News - Yemen: A Rights group revealed on Wednesday that the number of Yemeni fishermen kidnapped during eight years of the US-Saudi aggression has reached about 2,000 fishermen, 274 fishermen were killed and 215 disabled, in addition to the aggression destroying 476 boats.

In a press conference, Insan Rights and Freedom Organization indicated in its report that there are four forms of violations against fishermen, represented in the naval blockade, arrest, kidnapping, direct killing, and the involvement of hidden fishermen in special operations for the exchange of prisoners.

Insan organization stated that the violations against the fishermen detained in the prisons of aggression do not end, and Eritrea takes part in the violations.

In the investigative report, the organization's team revealed that 274 fishermen were killed directly by the US-Saudi aggression. It also revealed that 215 fishermen from the Red Sea were disabled during their kidnapping by the aggression and its armed groups.

The report indicated that among the kidnapped fishermen were a number of children who were practicing fishing with their fathers. Some of them have been released, and some are still kidnapped and their fate is unknown.

It confirmed that the number of fishermen kidnapped over the past eight years is about 2,000 fishermen, 274 fishermen were killed and 476 boats were destroyed.

US Forces Handed over 11 Fishermen to Khamis Mushait Prisons

Insan organization also revealed the fate of 11 fishermen. The American battleship, USS Forrest Sherman, claimed to have rescued the fishermen from drowning and handed them over to the Coast Guard at the port of Nishtun in Al-Mahra.

The organization explained that the 11 fishermen were handed over to the forces of the aggression, and they are now in one of Khamis Mushait prisons for prisoners of war.

It held the United Nations and the Security Council responsible for being silent and turning a blind eye to these criminal practices that compound the suffering of fishermen. It called on the international community to carry out their responsibilities to protect fishermen and their children and to take a firm stand to prevent these crimes.

It also called on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Court to investigate the crimes committed against the Yemeni People in general and the fishermen urgently and in particular.

Human Rights Minister: Great Role of Piracy in Red Sea Is for US

For his part, Minister of Human Rights Ali Al-Dailami stressed that it is important to move within the legal and human rights framework to submit reports of violations committed by the aggression in the Red Sea.

“The great role of piracy in the Red Sea is for America, which practices murder and kidnapping in the Red Sea and in their secret prisons,” Al-Dailami said. He added that the American crimes in the Red Sea are endless and the world should not be silent about them.

“There is a UN complicity in the face of all the crimes committed in Yemen and an international community suspicious role,” he added.

Fisheries constitute one of the pillars of economic development in Yemen due to its renewable resources that contribute to the sustainability of the gross domestic product. It provides job opportunities for thousands of Yemenis, in addition to the productive and service activities related to this vital and strategic sector, which generates revenues to support the economic and social development in Yemen.

The countries involved in the aggression deliberately target the fish and marine sector in Yemen as part of their tendencies to extend and control Yemen's ports and islands and control its coasts and beaches.

The targeting methods consisted of bombing fishing boats and fishing landing centers, in addition to confiscating boats in the coastal areas that they controlled. They prevent the practice of fishing in many areas designated for years for fishing, in addition to dredging, looting and tampering with marine resources.