New battalion of Marine Infantry Brigade defects from Hadi forces on Socotra

SOCOTRA, April 16 (YPA) – A new battalion of the 1st Marine Infantry Brigade announced its defection from the so-called Hadi forces on Socotra on Thursday, Pro-coalition media outlet reported on Thursday.

According to Tahdeeth Net, the first battalion of the 1st Marine Infantry Brigade announced its defection from the brigade and its loyalty to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.

The battalion command raised the flag of the Yemen separatist at the roof of the headquarters of the battalion.

The battalion is based in Qulensya district.

The move came days, after three military battalions of the 1st Marine Infantry Brigade have in Tuesday announced on being in open rebellion against Hadi’s government on Socotra Island. This reportedly came in reaction to a series of arrests recently carried out by Islah Party on the island.

Military sources in the island confirmed that the Tank Battalion, the Air Defence Battalion and the Military Police Battalion announced that they joined the Southern Transitional Council instead, a mercenary militia loyal to the UAE.

E.M