New clashes break out in Socotra

SOCOTRA – Major disputes have erupted between the local authorities and UAE-backed militias in Socotra province, local sources said, following the return of a senior Emirati official to the island.

Local sources confirmed that the UAE has cut off the electrical wires that connect the electricity supply to the houses at the general power station in Qalansiyah district, and connected them to their own generators after the power outage, under the pretext of “providing service to the residents.”

According to the sources, this new escalation followed the arrival of UAE representative, Khalfan Al Mazroui to the island two days ago from Abu Dhabi.

They added that “this action has angered the local authority, due to the steps taken by the UAE without its approval, which were deemed as an violation of its role.

The same sources indicated that the UAE has transferred Qatari citizens from Al Rayyan Airport in Mukalla to Socotra airport with two free flights, in a promotional flight as part of efforts to improve its image on the island.

Meanwhile, Hadi’s Minister of Transport Saleh al-Jabwani confirmed that the UAE has begun operating flights to and from Al Rayyan airport in the past few days without any coordination with his ministry.

He promised that the Hadi government would “put these abuses on the sovereignty of the state at the table of ICAO, the International Maritime Organization and the relevant international bodies.”