Sheikhs of Socotra condemn US, Israeli presence on Yemeni island archipelago
SOCOTRA, March 28 (YPA) -A group of sheikhs, elders, and social figures on the Yemeni island of Socotra have issued a strong press statement expressing their vehement rejection and condemnation of the US military presence on the island, in addition to the installation of Israeli-American air defences in the archipelago.
In the statement, the sheikhs and elders affirmed that “the unjustified presence of American forces on the island constitutes complete occupation of their territory and a flagrant violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
They also pointed out that this foreign presence “constitutes a provocative act threatening the security and stability of the entire region.”
The sheikhs and elders reiterated their call for an immediate withdrawal of US and Israeli forces from their island, affirming that “there is no justification for the presence of foreign forces on our land, especially those with a long history of interfering in Yemen’s internal affairs and supporting aggressors.”
They emphasised that they are not a party to the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf and that they will not be a party to protecting Israel either.
The sheikhs and elders reiterated their commitment to their national rights and sovereignty, stating that they “will not stand alongside any party that harnesses its agenda to push through external projects threatening the safety and security of citizens on the island.”
In reference to the difficult humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the sheikhs and elders expressed their firm rejection of the genocide and brutal massacres endured by their Palestinian brothers, calling on the international community to urgently intervene to stop these violations and protect human rights in Palestine.
This statement comes amidst escalating tensions in the region and increased foreign interventions in Yemen’s internal affairs and the region in general, causing significant concern among the sheikhs and elders in Socotra, who see it as a threat to Yemen’s security, stability, and sovereignty.
E.M