Egyptian and Eritrean authorities have released 41 Yemeni fishermen who were held while fishing in international waters, Saba reported.

21 of the fishermen, released by the Eritrean authorities, arrived on Thursday in Hodeida Province.

They were held in the last few days after they were intercepted, threatened with guns and taken with their three boats to Eritrea.

Their properties including two boats were confiscated and they were deported on the third boat, they told the authorities.

20 other fishermen were arrested a month ago by an Egyptian warship while in international waters between Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

They were treated well and released on Wednesday, the Yemeni embassy in Cairo told Saba.

Yemeni fishermen have many times complained about harassment and difficulties they face while fishing in international waters.

They sent letters to the authorities saying Eritrean authorities and pirates always attacked them and seized their properties, demanding action to stop attacks.

In this regard, the Interior Ministry has recently said it requested the Foreign Ministry to discuss continuous attacks against Yemeni fishermen by Eritrean people.

Effective solutions should be established through diplomatic channels with Eritrea to stop attacks, it urged.