Dozens of Yemeni families are being forcibly evicted from their homes in Abd al-Kuri island, southwest of the strategic island of Socotra, to make way for an Emirati military base, purportedly under the supervision of Israeli military experts.
Faraan: The Directorate General of Fisheries in Yemen’s National Salvation Government in a Wednesday statement strongly denounced the eviction of the residents of Abd al-Kuri island, which is part of the Socotra Archipelago and lies about 105 kilometers (65 miles) southwest of the island of Socotra. The statement noted that the displacement of locals from the Yemeni island serves as a prelude to its militarization and transformation into an Emirati military base, adding that the plan is in line with a US-Israeli plot.
It also pointed to the strategic importance of Abd al-Kuri island, emphasizing that the United Nations and human rights organizations should fulfill their responsibilities amid the unfolding events there. The UAE, which is occupying Yemen’s Socotra, has reportedly issued ID cards for a number of residents of the strategic island in a bid to change their identity.
The directorate called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and environmental organizations to take immediate measures in the face of ongoing destruction of the natural and marine reserves of the island. Abd al-Kuri is among the most important islands near the Horn of Africa, and has great economic and oil resources. There is a dispute between Yemen and the Somali government over the island’s sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia, UAE race to militarily control Aden presidential palace. In a separate development, reports cited local sources in the southern Yemen’s port city of Aden saying that large military reinforcements, including various munitions, military vehicles and armored personnel carriers had arrived there.
