Clashes erupt between Hadi’s security forces, UAE-backed militias in Socotra

SOCOTRA, March 19 (YPA) – The port of the Socotra archipelago on Wednesday witnessed violent clashes between  Hadi government security forces and armed militias loyal to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) , after the latter stormed the port, southern media outlets reported.

According to the “Almawqea Post”, the clashes broke out after gunmen stormed a number of vehicles following the UAE delegate in Socotra port in an attempt to bring weapons and equipment arrived through the ship “Ed Ester” UAE.

The director of security of the province in the coalition-backed government, Colonel Faez al-Shatahi, sent military reinforcements to protect the port and to control these elements, local sources told Almawqea Post.

After the arrival of the military security reinforcements to the port campus, they started firing indiscriminately in order to force the security forces to retreat so that they could get out of their armoured vehicle, one of sources said.

According to the sources, these security agencies continued to advance towards these elements arrested two of them and the others fled the port, while the security services are still pursuing them.

The port raid comes a day after security services detained an Emirati armoured vehicle equipped with a weapons base for military purposes seized aboard an Emirati ship.

The container in which they found the armoured vehicle was sealed with a poster belonging to Prime Fish, an Emirati company run by Emirati representative Khalfan al-Mazroui.

Meanwhile, Hadi governor in Socotra, Ramzi al- Mahrous held an emergency meeting with the security committee and military agencies and units in the province discussing the  security developments in the province.

E.M