UAE summons ‘Al Thaqali’ to discuss establishment of new air base in Socotra

SOCOTRA, Oct. 27 (YPA) – Socotra governor in the government, loyal to Saudi-led coalition, Rafat Al Thaqli, headed on Wednesday to the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

Al Thaqali said on his Facebook account, that he had arrived in Abu Dhabi “to discuss development projects in the archipelago with the UAE government.”

However, activists from the island, confirmed that Al Thaqli’s visit to Abu Dhabi comes within the framework of preparations to establish a new air base for the coalition on the Yemeni island.

The activists considered that the direct coordination between Al Thaqali and the Emiratis indicates that the coalition countries are trying to give the “governor” a role greater than his powers in order to take over the Yemeni island alone.

Observers confirmed that Al Thaqli’s visit for Abu Dhabi accompanied by the new Emirati ruler of the Yemeni island of Socotra, Mahmoud al-Khaja, after the latter confirmed his readiness to overcome any obstacles to establish a new Emirati air base in the Nujd area south of the island.

E.M