Hodeidah, Yemen(Mogadishu24)-Eritrean authorities have released 72 Yemeni fishermen who were abducted from international waters earlier this month and detained in Eritrean prisons. The fishermen returned to Al-Khawkhah district in Hodeidah province after weeks of captivity.

The Office of Media in Hodeidah confirmed that the fishermen were arrested by the Eritrean navy while fishing in Yemeni waters. Hodeidah Governor, Al-Hasan Taher, welcomed the released fishermen and called on the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take urgent action to address the ongoing violations by the Eritrean navy against Yemeni fishermen.

The release follows a pattern of similar incidents, including the release of over 90 Yemeni fishermen in July, who were also detained by Eritrean forces while fishing in Yemeni territorial waters. The Hodeidah Fisheries Authority has strongly condemned the increasing abductions and violations, urging the international community and humanitarian organizations to address the plight of Yemeni fishermen and condemn these abuses.

Reports indicate that a number of Yemeni fishermen remain in Eritrean prisons, awaiting release after their boats and equipment were confiscated. Last week, a Yemeni fisherman was reportedly killed by Eritrean forces.