News – Yemen: The Ministry of Fisheries denounced the attack on a number of Yemeni fishermen by the Eritrean forces during a fishing trip in Yemeni territorial waters.

The ministry said in a statement, Thursday, that the fisherman, Malik Muhammad Abdullah Jerd, from the Al-Khawkhah district in Hodeidah, was wounded, while his six companions were forcibly detained in Eritrean prisons.

The Ministry affirmed that this attack and the crimes of Eritrean forces and its blatant attacks against Yemeni fishermen constitute a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, calling on the international community and human rights organizations to take action to stop these ongoing crimes against Yemeni fishermen.

The Ministry praised the Yemeni fishermen's pride in their profession, and their reliance on it to provide food for their families in light of the aggression and blockade, calling on the Eritrean side to stop its violations against fishermen and respect the maritime interests in international waters.

The Ministry of Fisheries called on the international community to take a clear and frank stance to hold the Eritrean authorities accountable for their aggressive actions against fishermen in the territorial waters, stressing that Yemen will strongly defend its people and protect its territorial waters.
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.