Saudi Arabia reduces Emirati influence in Socotra

ADEN, Feb. 27 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia implemented on Monday new arrangements to reduce the influence of UAE in the archipelago of the Yemeni island of Socotra.

This came in the framework of the escalation of the “Saudi-Emirati” conflict regarding the division of the cake of Yemen.

Local residents affirmed that Saudi Arabia imposed on the UAE and its local tools the return of one of leaders in Islah Party, Ramzi Mahrous, to Socotra Island, two years after the UAE militias took control of the island and expelled him, according to a Saudi-Emirati agreement.

The sources confirmed that Ramzi Mahrous, the former governor to Socotra province, arrived at Hadiboh International Airport, hours after the deployment of Saudi forces in the vicinity of Socotra Airport of the city of Hadiboh, where the UAE bases are stationed.

According to the sources, the Saudi forces turned Environmental Protection Authority building in Hadiboh city, the administrative center of the archipelago, to an operations room for its forces.

This came, less than 48 hours after the Saudi forces established a new camp in Muri district near Socotra Airport.

The Saudi arrangements and its moves come to strike the Emirati presence on the strategic island, as part of a broad scheme to reduce the UAE’s role and influence, and to pursue its affiliated factions in the southern provinces and sea outlets.

AA