The Eritrean authorities have arrested three fishing boats of Yemeni fishing
inside the Yemeni territorial water, the Yemeni Interior Ministry said on
its online website.
It further explained that the boats were forces to head to the Eritrean
land, indicating that it started investigating the event.
The Eritrean authorities used to seize Yemen fishermen and their boats in a
case that often raises tensions between the two neighboring states.
Yemeni fishermen have many times complained about harassment and
difficulties they face while fishing in Yemeni and international waters.
They have repeatedly called on their government to shoulder its
responsibility and protect its citizens against the frequent attack by
Eritrea.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry stated on Tuesday that 259 African refugees
arrived in to Yemeni coasts through the Red Sea.
The Ministry said on its website that the refugees are Somalis who includes
62 Ethiopians.
It further said that the Yemeni authorities sent the refugees to the main
refuge of Kharaz in Lahj governorate.
While the Yemen authorities said they harbor more than a million of African
refugees, the United Nations cites that about 200,000 African refugees are
existed in Yemen.
Hundreds of Africans perish every year attempting the hazardous sea voyage
on rickety fishing boats run by smugglers. According to the UNHCR, more than
65,000 Ethiopian immigrants arrived to Yemen in 2011, compared to 34,422 in
2010.
Yemeni military sources had repeatedly said that African nationals were
found fighting with Al-Qaeda militants in Abyan.
