Al Jazeera News :
United Arab Emirates (UAE) forces have occupied sea and airports on Yemen’s remote island of Socotra, a day after deploying four military craft and more than 100 troops there, according to a Yemeni government official.
Condemning the move as an “act of aggression”, the official said UAE soldiers also blocked Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr, Yemen’s prime minister, and 10 ministers from leaving Socotra on Friday.
“The UAE has occupied the airport and seaport of Socotra island, despite the Yemeni government’s presence there. What the UAE is doing in Socotra is an act of aggression,” the official told Al Jazeera.
Saudi Arabia has pledged to send investigators to Socotra, according to the official.
Socotra, a UNESCO heritage site home to some 60,000 people, has a 3,000-metre-long runway, ideal for fighter jets and large military aircraft. The UAE recently leased the island for 99 years and has confirmed carrying out military operations there. Residents of the island said the flag of the UAE and images of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, often known as MBZ, now adorn official buildings.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) forces have occupied sea and airports on Yemen’s remote island of Socotra, a day after deploying four military craft and more than 100 troops there, according to a Yemeni government official.
Condemning the move as an “act of aggression”, the official said UAE soldiers also blocked Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr, Yemen’s prime minister, and 10 ministers from leaving Socotra on Friday.
“The UAE has occupied the airport and seaport of Socotra island, despite the Yemeni government’s presence there. What the UAE is doing in Socotra is an act of aggression,” the official told Al Jazeera.
Saudi Arabia has pledged to send investigators to Socotra, according to the official.
Socotra, a UNESCO heritage site home to some 60,000 people, has a 3,000-metre-long runway, ideal for fighter jets and large military aircraft. The UAE recently leased the island for 99 years and has confirmed carrying out military operations there. Residents of the island said the flag of the UAE and images of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, often known as MBZ, now adorn official buildings.
