Family members of three men held by U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman are pushing back against official accusations, insisting their relatives were simply fishermen caught up in a botched anti‑smuggling operation. The relatives argue that the detainees have no criminal record and that the U.S. military acted without concrete evidence, raising questions about the transparency of the raid and the legal basis for the arrests. The dispute comes amid heightened tensions over maritime security in the region, where authorities on both sides have been cracking down on illicit trafficking but also face scrutiny over due‑process standards. As diplomatic talks continue, the families are seeking international attention and legal assistance to secure the release of their loved ones.
Relatives of detained crew say US forces acted without evidence, claiming the men were fishermen, not smugglers.
