UAE boosts military presence in Yemen’s Socotra amid local anger over service monopoly

SOCOTRA, Nov. 18 (YPA) – UAE forces have reinforced their military presence in the Yemeni archipelago of Socotra, east of the Gulf of Aden, a move that comes in response to escalating popular anger over a lack of services and their monopolization by the Emirati company “Eastern Triangle.”

The UAE graduated a new batch of so-called “Special Forces” and “Anti-Riot Forces” with the aim of suppressing the island’s residents. This followed the dismissal of about 800 recruits from Socotra and the introduction of new personnel from Dhalea and Lahij governorates in early September.

Activist Saeed Al-Rumaili Al-Socotri confirmed that the ratio of deployed recruits to the local population is as high as one soldier for every 3-5 inhabitants, pointing to a militarization of Socotra that he described as “provocative to the residents” who have long awaited development and service projects.

These developments occur while Emirati companies, including “Eastern Triangle,” have seized control of all essential services (fuel and gas), imposing sharp price increases.

Furthermore, the global protected area of Socotra has been converted into military barracks, including a joint base with “Israel”, in serious violations of Yemeni sovereignty.

YPA