Eritrea continues to harass Yemeni boats

HAJJA, June 28 (Saba) -Eritrean authorities have released seven
Yemeni fishermen who were seized with their boat in international
waters in the Red Sea on June 18.

As usual, the Eritrean authorities confiscated their boat and
property onboard it. They were sent back home on another boat, they
told police as they arrived at the Midy port, Hajja.

In recent years, many Yemeni fishing boats were seized by Yemen's
neighbors with fishermen onboard harassed.

Earlier this year, dozens of Yemeni fishermen were released after
Saudi, Sudanese and Eritrean authorities held their boats while
fishing in the Red Sea.

In February, Eritrea freed 55 Yemeni fishermen who claimed they were
taken by force to an Eritrean island after the Eritrean authorities
seized their boats while fishing in international waters.

Despite accords between the two countries on not to attack each
others' fishing boats, during the last few months, many Yemeni
fishing boats have been reported taken by the Eritrean authorities.

The Eritrean authorities usually release Yemeni fishermen after
confiscating their boats and fish they hunt.

Last year, hundreds of Yemeni fishermen were held by the Eritrean
authorities but until this moment Yemeni fishermen still look
forward to government action.

MD/FR