UAE imposes collective punishment on Steroh residents in Socotra

SOCOTRA, July 11 (YPA) – The UAE has imposed collective punishment on the people of the port city of Steroh in the  Yemeni Socotra archipelago.

Local sources on the island reported that the authorities of the UAE cut off electricity to the people of the Steroh area in Nujd, south of Socotra, as punishment for not giving them a ground for holding a camel race in the autumn of Najd, which came in its seventh edition under the title o“Zayed bin Sulta” Festival, which was launched last Saturday.

The sources indicated that the electricity cut to citizens in the city of Steroh came under the directives of Emirati intelligence officer Khalfan Al Mazrouei, who runs “Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian Works.”

The sources accused the UAE of targeting the identity, customs and social traditions of the Yemeni people of Socotra through the events and activities of “Autumn Nujd”, which enshrines the Emirati culture.

The UAE media published these activities in a ridiculous and provocative way without raising the Yemeni flag, amid suspicious silence by “Presidential Leadership Council” and the government loyal to Saudi-led coalition, that claims legitimacy before the international community.

The same sources pointed out that the Emirati festival targets the decency and modesty of Socotra women through various activities.

It is noteworthy that the UAE is seeking to change the name of the city of Steroh in Socotra and name it “Sheikh Zayed City” in a clear attack on the original names after the construction of a number of residential buildings for those affected by Hurricane “Meg” that hit the island in 2015.

E.M