Emirati companies buy citizens’ lands in Socotra

SOCOTRA, Oct. 27 (YPA) – The Emirati companies have purchased vast areas of land belonging to citizens in the Yemeni province of Socotra, east of the Gulf of Aden.

Local sources familiar with the matter said these companies provided huge sums of money to the people in exchange for purchasing land, exploiting the poverty and high cost of living of the people of Socotra.

The sources stated that the “unknown” Emirati companies placed a fence of iron mesh on them and prevented citizens from entering them after taking over vast areas of agricultural land and rare natural pastures, according a report by Mahrah TV and Socotra” platform on “X”.

They explained that the so-called “Khalifa Foundation” ranks first among the Emirati companies that purchase the most lands in Socotra for ownership and not for investment.

The sources warned of the danger of this ongoing operation at a higher pace in light of the presence of local authorities loyal to Abu Dhabi, which does not recognize Yemeni sovereignty over the island.

This comes after the Zionist entity, in cooperation with the Emirates, established a military base and maritime surveillance points in the Socotra Archipelago, including on Abd al-Kuri Island since the second half of 2020.

AA