Twenty-one Yemeni fishermen returned to Hodeidah on Wednesday after enduring more than eight months of abduction, torture, and inhumane treatment in Sudanese prisons.

During a reception held at the Fish Landing Port, Hodeidah Governor Abdullah Attifi strongly condemned the ongoing targeting and arbitrary detention of Yemeni fishermen—whether by Sudanese authorities or by the mercenaries of the Saudi-led coalition operating out of Eritrea. He described these violations as flagrant breaches of international norms and humanitarian law.

Governor Attifi affirmed that the revolutionary and political leadership gives special attention to the plight of fishermen, emphasizing continued efforts to support them in the face of aggression and blockade. He noted that fishermen have long suffered from direct attacks and the deprivation of their only source of livelihood.

He added that the fishing sector in Hodeidah has sustained severe losses due to systematic targeting by the coalition, leading to a noticeable decline in its activity. He called on international organizations to assume their responsibilities, denounce these crimes, and take action to ensure the protection and safety of Yemeni fishermen.

Abdulmalik Sabrah, Deputy Chairman of the Red Sea Fisheries Authority, stated that the fishermen deported from Sudan are just the latest victims in a long list of violations against Yemeni fishermen—crimes that continue amid deafening international silence.

The returning fishermen recounted that they had been fishing in Yemeni territorial waters in November 2024 when their engine failed due to strong winds, which pushed their boat into international waters. There, they were intercepted by a Sudanese naval patrol and taken into custody.

They revealed that they were subjected to various forms of torture and mistreatment during detention, including forced labor and starvation. After months of suffering, they were released without their boat or equipment, deported by air to Aden Airport, and left to face further hardship before finally reaching Hodeidah.

The reception was attended by Fish Landing Port Director Mohammed Al-Tawil. Governor Attifi provided the returning fishermen with financial assistance to help meet their immediate needs and ease their reintegration with their families.