Saudi-Emirati occupation forces appoint new governor for Island of Socotra

SOCOTRA, Sept. 2 (YPA) – Saudi-Emirati occupation forces have on Tuesday appointed a “new governor” for the Island of Socotra, local sources said

The sources confirmed that the commander of the so-called “forces of duty” Saudi Arabia, Abdul Rahman al-Hajji, handed over yesterday, the administration of Socotra province, to the leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) , Saleh Ali, who was serving as agent for the island, without an official decree from the exiled  “Hadi government” in Riyadh.

The sources explained that selecting “Saleh Ali” to be governor of the island, two months after the expulsion of “Governor Ramzi Mahrous”, affiliated with the Islah party, Yemeni branch of Muslims brotherhood.

This came following clashes between the leaders of the STC militias, the encirclement of Ali Omar Kifian, the provincial building, and the prevention of Rafat all-Thaqalai from entering, due to differences between the wings of the STC militias divided between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

E.M

On Monday, violent clashes broke out between transitional militias and the Saudi occupation forces, near Socotra airport, which lead to the closure of the external gate.

According to the Observers, the clashes are being directed at the UAE to remove Saudi forces, as part of the UAE’s efforts to control on the island.

The STC militia took control over the island of Socotra in June, with the complicity of Saudi forces on the island, after withdrawing from the entrances to the island’s capital, Hadiboh

E.M