Socotra’s walls turn into cry of protest against Emirati presence

SOCOTRA, Nov. 03 (YPA) – A remarkable shift in popular protest has been witnessed in the Yemeni island of Socotra, located east of the Gulf of Aden, where the island’s walls have transformed into a platform for an “uprising” against the presence of Emirati forces and companies since early 2018.

The people of Socotra have resorted to writing slogans like “Irhal Ya Imarat” (Go out, UAE) to express escalating popular rejection of the UAE’s policy, which they accuse of “tampering with the archipelago’s resources and Yemeni identity.”

This escalation comes amid growing public outrage against the control exerted by Emirati companies over vital sectors, including the airport, seaport, and essential services. The final spark was the “shocking” pricing imposed by the Emirati company “Golden Triangle” on a domestic gas cylinder, reaching 50,000 Yemeni Riyals, further increasing the suffering of citizens.

The people of Socotra are demanding the end of the Emirati hegemony and the restoration of their right to manage their own affairs, amidst the silence of the Saud-led coalition-affiliated government. Anti-Emirati sentiment has intensified, now encompassing most of the southern governorates under the coalition’s control.

YPA