Sana'a: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources has strongly condemned the recent kidnapping incident involving Yemeni fishermen by an armed Somali group. The ministry's statement highlights the severity of the crime, where the fishing boat "Al-Maymoun 1" and its crew of 27 fishermen from Hadhramout Governorate were taken hostage while operating in the Ras Banah area of the marine waters.
According to Yemen News Agency, the armed group forcibly transported the fishermen to the Bargal area, demanding a ransom of $50,000 for their release. This is despite the fishermen possessing official fishing licenses issued by a recognized Somali office. The Ministry's statement expressed that such actions represent a blatant violation of maritime norms and laws, posing a direct threat to the lives of Yemeni fishermen and infringing upon their legitimate rights to work in peace.
The Ministry further noted that the crime is part of a troubling pattern of attacks against Yemeni fishermen. This includes the murder of Hadhrami fisherman Omar Nasser Sheikh in Mukalla last year by a Somali soldier, with no effective measures taken to prevent further violations. The Ministry has urged the Somali authorities to take full responsibility for the safety of the detained fishermen and to ensure their immediate release, while also holding those involved accountable for their actions.