Yemeni Fishermen: The First Victims to the Sea Militarization
منذ سنة
Hodeida – Mohammed Al-NimrThe ongoing military operations in the Red Sea have sparked anxiety among the Yemeni fishermen, who find their movements increasingly restricted amidst the growing military presence along the coastline
The recent announcement of a US-led international coalition in December only added to the apprehension felt by thousands of fishermen
This escalation in military activity has forced many fishermen to halt their work, living in constant fear of both conflict and hunger
Since November of the previous year, the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) has launched approximately 28 attacks on warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea
The United States, Britain, and other nations have deployed significant military assets, yet diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have faltered
As military tensions escalate, Yemeni fishermen find themselves bearing the brunt of the conflict, standing as its primary victims
The fishing industry in Yemen offers employment opportunities in fishing and associated sectors for approximately 500,000 individuals, supporting around 1
7 million people, according to United Nations
Before the onset of the conflict, fish production had reached approximately 200,000 tons
However, it has plummeted by half due to the displacement of fishermen and workers in the fishing industry, as outlined in a research paper by the Sana’a Center for Studies
Fouad Dawbalah, a fisherman from Al-Khokhah district in Hodeida Governorate, spoke to “Almushahid
net“: “The sea feels unfamiliar to us fishermen today
Fishing, our sole means of sustenance, used to be a routine affair, but now a fisherman barely gets his daily bread
We rush out for brief periods, hoping to catch enough to feed our families, all the while fearing missile attacks upon our return home
”Since the outset of 2015, Yemen has been embroiled in an armed conflict pitting the Houthi group against government forces
This protracted conflict has taken a toll on approximately 70% of small-scale fishermen, who form the bedrock of the fishing industry, as highlighted in a UN report
Dawbalah noted: “The escalation by the Houthis has instilled a sense of panic among us
We fear for our livelihoods, as many families are now prohibiting their sons from venturing out on fishing expeditions, wary that a stray missile could strike them amidst the vastness of the sea
”According to Dawbalah , after the arrival of foreign forces in the Red Sea, the feeling of anxiety among fishermen doubled, and the number of those who avoid working in fishing increased
In mid-2022, the World Bank announced a financial grant of 45 million riyals aimed at enhancing the efficiency of fish production in Yemen and bolstering regional cooperative management mechanisms for fisheries in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region
Nevertheless, the disruptions in Yemeni waters within the Red Sea are poised to impact the productivity of the country’s fishing sector
Abduljalil Fakhri, a resident of Hodeida, now views his fishing work as an adventure, albeit one born out of necessity due to the scarcity of alternative job opportunities
Speaking to “Almushahid
net“, he expressed his sentiments: “The news of Western warship deployments was truly terrifying, depriving us of our means of livelihood through fishing
”He further elaborated, “We are confronted with a grim and alarming reality where fishermen are now shunning fishing expeditions due to the ongoing war at sea and the rising specter of piracy
Unidentified armed groups have surfaced, indiscriminately targeting boats and plundering everything they encounter alongside fishermen, showing no mercy
This has transformed the Red Sea into a hotspot for ruthless pillaging and kidnappings, impacting numerous fishermen
”With the increasing challenges facing fishermen, fishing activity has declined by approximately 60%, according to Saeed Masaawi, Director of Fish Landing in Al-Khokhah
In an interview with “Almushahid
net“, he remarked, “The conflict in the Red Sea poses the gravest threat to both fishing activities and fishermen themselves
Since the escalation began, the number of missing fishermen has soared to 63, with their whereabouts remaining a mystery to this day
Some of these fishermen disappeared near Honaish Island, close to Bab Al-Mandab Strait, while Eritrean forces have apprehended numerous Yemeni fishermen in recent weeks
”Masaawi explained that the recent escalation of military activities in the Red Sea waterways will exert a substantial influence on the migration patterns of fish, potentially displacing them from the coastal areas and traditional fishing grounds in Yemeni waters
The fighting in the Red Sea not only threatens the lives of fishermen but also creates environmental challenges due to the dumping of waste from warships deployed in the waterways, according to environmental expert Fawaz Al-Manifi
Al-Manifi spoke to “Almushahid
net“: “The pollution resulting from warships stationed in Yemeni waters could result in the mortality and displacement of marine fish from coastal areas, leading to the destruction of unique species
Additionally, the ongoing conflict and the deposition of missile debris into the sea continue to pollute the waters, despite persistent objections
”On Monday, January 15, 2024, the United States reported intercepting an anti-ship cruise missile launched from territories under the control of Houthi insurgents toward the American destroyer USS Laboon in the southern Red Sea
With a coastline spanning 2520 kilometers, fishing has long been a vital source of income for thousands of Yemeni citizens residing in coastal regions
However, the once secure livelihood provided by this industry is now endangered
The Red Sea has transformed into a staging ground for warships and gunboats, as warring parties gear up for potential escalation
This story was first published in Arabic on 15 January 2024ليصلك كل جديدالإعلاميون في خطرمشاورات السلام كشف التضليل التحقيقات التقارير