Deep water fishing boats used to catch red prawns, in Mazara del Vallo, Italy. The Libyans accused the Sicilians of fishing for red prawns, long a prized catch in this area of the Mediterranean, in waters over which Libya claims sovereignty. Their two vessels were seized, and they were brought to a detention facility in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. After all, their detention touches on matters of national security: a border dispute between Libya and Italy. But September’s incident is the first time the red prawn war triggered a diplomatic crisis.

Source: Libya Today November 23, 2020 03:00 UTC