The Iran-backed Houthi militias kidnapped 18 fisherman in the western Hodeidah region, revealed local Yemeni sources on Saturday.
They told Asharq Al-Awsat that the militias accused the fishermen of collaborating with the Yemeni army and Saudi-led Arab coalition.
This is an accusation the Houthis usually direct at any locals who reject their sectarian agenda or defy their oppressive actions.
Observers suspected that the fishermen were abducted for refusing to hand over their fishing vessels to the militias that want to use them for marine attacks against naval Arab coalition forces.
The victims are likely being held in Houthi detention facilities.
Since seizing control of Hodeidah, the Houthis forced dozens of fishermen to collaborate with them by using their boats to plant marine mines and smuggling weapons to islands off the Hodeidah coast.
