Djiboutian Coast Guards have seized five Yemeni fishing vessels and arrested 19 individuals for allegedly fishing illegally in the nation’s waters.
According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the boats were operating without a license and were engaged in the theft of Djiboutian marine resources. The arrest operation took place earlier this week, though the exact location was not specified.
This incident occurs amidst rising regional tensions over maritime boundaries and fishing rights. Last week, the Yemeni government formally accused Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia’s Puntland state of abducting Yemeni fishermen from their own territorial waters. Yemen is now calling for the release of those it considers to be illegally detained.
The situation is further complicated by separate accusations. Both Eritrea and Djibouti have previously alleged that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been involved in recruiting members of the Afar community from their respective Red Sea coasts. These cross-border accusations highlight the complex web of political and security issues affecting the region.