Yemeni fishermen killed off Sudan’s coast

May 27, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – An unidentified international naval ship attacked Yemeni fishermen off the coast of Sudan, according to media reports.

The strike caused the death of two fishermen; seriously injuring another while the fourth is still missing, the official Yemeni news agency (SABA) said.

The agency said that the patrol apparently suspected the fishermen were involved in anti-piracy activities in the Red Sea.

The Yemen Post newspaper revealed the names of deceased fishermen as Abdu Marwani and Muhammad Naji.

The newspaper said that the only survivor from the attack managed to make it to Sudanese coast where authorities there started investigating in coordination with their Yemeni counterparts.

SABA quoting sources at Yemeni navy dismissed reports that the attack on the boat was done by air.

“While some suspected the missile was an air strike, sources at Yemen’s navy said it probably came from sea by one of (the) warships conducting anti-piracy patrols in the region” the news agency said.

World countries have stepped up patrolling in the region after a series of piracy attacks.

(ST)