Saudi Arabia continues to dismantle UAE’s influence in Socotra

SOCOTRA, Jan. 15 (YPA) – Military forces loyal to Saudi Arabia took control of the Public Hadibo Hospital in the Yemeni Socotra Archipelago governorate on Thursday.

This follows a sudden decision by Emirati forces stationed on the island to evacuate and close the medical facility, in a move observers describe as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Emirati influence in the region.

Saudi officers, accompanied by military reinforcements, arrived at the hospital grounds under heavy guard. Immediately upon securing the site, the forces re-hoisted the Yemeni flag over the facility, which Emirati forces had previously renamed “Khalifa Hospital.”

According to local sources, Emirati authorities overseeing the hospital reportedly ordered all medical and administrative staff to evacuate immediately.

Furthermore, the UAE demanded that local authorities return medical equipment previously provided as “humanitarian aid,” raising significant questions regarding the nature and sustainability of Emirati support amid the island’s dire health crisis.

Amidst these shifts, the governorate witnessed a local demonstration organized by pro-UAE authorities led by Raafat al-Thaqali. The protest featured the exclusive display of UAE flags, which some analysts view as either a “farewell party” for the Emirati presence or a political message of defiance to reassert influence.

These rapid developments raise fundamental questions about the timing and implications of these moves—whether they signal the end of the Emirati presence in the archipelago or a strategic escalation for control amid sensitive regional and international conditions.

YPA