Saudi forces transfer military, civilian leaders from Socotra to Riyadh

SOCOTRA, July 6 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia transferred a number of military and civilian leaders from Socotra Island to Riyadh, well-informed political sources said on Monday.

The move comes amid the tensions in the negotiations between Hadi’s government and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The sources indicated that among the leaders who left Socotra were Ali Salmin, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, Saad Somal, commander of the Coastal Defense Brigade, Noah Eidhan, commander of the Military Police Branch, Fayez Shathi, director of Socotra Security, and Amjad Tani, director general of Hadibo district.

Military leaders in the STC militia rejected the Saudi request to leave Socotra to Riyadh, fearing that the island would be handed over again to the Islah Party militants, according to the sources.

The STC militias took control of the city of Hadibu, the capital of Socotra Island, in the second half of last June.

YPA