Islah party militias prevent UAE money flow to Socotra

SOCOTRA, April 20 (YPA) – Islah Party militias on Sunday closed all exchange and remittance companies on the island of Socotra, local sources told al-Jazeera.

According to local sources, the pro-Islah governor Ramzi Mahrous ordered the closure of Al-Omaqi exchange and the suspension of all upcoming remittances on the island, as part of curbing the flow of UAE funds that fuel the conflict between the island’s citizens.

The sources pointed out that these measures were met with anger and indignation by citizens and commercial sectors, and beneficiaries of remittances from expatriates, coinciding with the coming of the holy month of Ramadan.

Al-Islah militants carried out a crackdown on exchange companies in Hadebo city by force of arms.

The actions followed the rebellion of a number of military battalions in the 1st Marine Brigade, which announced its accession to the UAE-backed”Southern Transitional Council” militias.

In early February, the pro- coalition governor of Socotra, Ramzi Mahrous, accused the UAE of financing military rebellions and supporting its militias to fuel conflict and fighting among the island’s people.

E.M