UAE halts support for its factions in Socotra, dismisses hundreds of recruits

SOCOTRA, Sept. 22 (YPA) – The UAE has halted support and funding for several of its affiliated armed factions in Yemen’s Socotra archipelago, located east of the Gulf of Aden.

According to local sources, this move came as a surprise and included the withdrawal of military vehicles, including heavy equipment, along with a decision to demobilize approximately 800 recruits from the area.

The sources explained that UAE forces also removed a solar energy system that was being used to operate a water well in Hadibu, the center of the archipelago.

This move sparked discontent among residents, who rejected the UAE’s presence near their villages and homes, viewing it as a form of collective punishment.

The measures also included the suspension of food supplies and salaries to the “Special Forces” factions, prompting dozens of members of the factions to organize a protest in front of the UAE-affiliated local authorities at the beginning of this month.

According to sources, the dismissal decision was based on the recommendations of the UAE military committee that arrived in Hadibu following the escalation of protests.

This came amidst a rivalry for security and military influence between UAE forces and Saudi forces known as “808.” This rivalry was accompanied by changes in the leadership of the Saudi forces.

YPA