[06/05/2018 01:44]

SOCOTRA-SABA
The government has viewed the military action the Emirati troops have taken recently in the Island of Socotra as unjustified.

A statement issued by the Council of Ministers said:" Our brethren of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been in the Island in civilian status for three years, and there is nothing has changed in the Island neither politically nor militarily that makes it necessary to take control over the airport and seaport.

Yet the status quo now following the seizure of the airport and seaport is actually reflecting the dispute between the legitimate government and our brethren in the UAE, the core of this dispute is over the national sovereignty and who shall have the right to exercise it, the needed joint coordination has appeared to be missed over the recent period".

The Prime Minister called on our brethren in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Kingdom (KSA) and UAE to mull what happened and what it is going in Socotra as it is a fault mired the relationship between the legitimate leadership and our brethren in the UAE and it is everybody's responsibility to redress this situation.

Here is the text of the Council of Ministers' statement..

"We have got surprised by something we have never expected. The government arrived in Socotra on Saturday April 28, 2018 on several- day official visit. The population of Socotra Archipelagoes received warmly the Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation. The warm reception reflected the intimate fraternal passions among the Yemenis, particularly amid crisises. .

Government delegation received at the airport by the governor and deputy governors of the province, senior government's officials, social dignitaries and community leaders, commander of the marine-brigade and directors of political security and national security as well as officers and personnel of the two ministries of defense and interior.

On the second day, Sunday, the Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation laid down foundation stones for a number of development projects, inaugurated several projects and paid inspection visits to some government's institutions and facilities. The delegation also held meetings with the representatives of the local councils who affirmed their support for President Hadi and his Federal State Proposal that HE advocates.

They also voiced their support for the GCC's Initiative, its operational plan and the outcomes of the National Dialogue. Until late of Sunday the situations were normal in the Island.

On the third day of the government's delegation visit to the Island firs Emirati military plane landed laden with two armored vehicles and more than 50 Emirati soldiers. Followed immediately by two more military cargo planes boarding tanks and two armored vehicles and troops. The event has become well know for the Yemeni people and the interested observers. It is a matter raises several questions and caused concern in the Island.

First thing the Emirati troops made was taking control over the airport entrances, notifying the security protection soldiers in the airport, officers of political and security services, customs and tax staffs that their mission has ended until another notice. The same move made in the Socotra's only seaport.
The Yemeni government has viewed this military move as unjustified.

A statement issued by the Council of Ministers said:" Our brethren of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been in the Island in civilian status for three years, and there is nothing has changed in the Island neither politically nor militarily that makes it necessary to take control over the airport and seaport. Yet the status quo now following the seizure of the airport and seaport is actually reflecting the dispute between the legitimate government and our brethren in the UAE, the core of this dispute is over the national sovereignty and who shall have the right to exercise it, the needed joint coordination has appeared to be missed over the recent period".

On Friday we received a high-rank military delegation from the KSA. The delegation met with the Prime Minister, Chiefs of the Political Security and National Security Systems, Minister of Fishery, deputies of the governor and military commander.

The Prime Minister detailed the brothers in the KSA on the latest developments that caused this concern, political and media fanfare. The delegation also heard remarks from the governor of the province, Cheifs of Political and National Security Systems as well as commander of the first marine brigaded stationed in the Island. They all highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Coalition parties, noting that the seizure of the airport and seaport isn't included with the framework of the conception of cooperation.

The Prime Minister informed the Suadi delegation and the representative of the UAE that the Yemeni government is very keen on maintaining strong and robust brotherly relations that consolidate Arab Coalition and make cooperation between the government represented by President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the UAE leadership and people more sustainable given that the UAE is brotherly country and an ally in countering the Houthi coup and the Iranian expansion policy in the region.

The Prime Minister has confirmed that in spite of the relation between the legitimate leadership and brothers in the UAE is not as it should be the national interest of the two countries and other member states of the Coalition and Arab nation necessitates further cooperation that take into account the interests of the Coalition member states and peoples.

The Prime Minister called on our brethren in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Kingdom (KSA) and UAE to mull what happened and what it is going in Socotra as it is a fault mired the relationship between the legitimate leadership and our brethren in the UAE and it is everybody's responsibility to redress this situation.

As the continuation of the dispute and its expanding through all government-held regions reaching out to Socotra is clearly harmful and it can't be concealed any longer. Its serious effects have spread through all military and civilian and its negative impact has been felt by the Yemeni people.

The government voiced thanks and respect to the His Excellency (HE) Field-Marshal President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi for his great patriotic stance in this crisis and his decision to redress the error before worsening. The government's thanks also goes to the Custodian of the Two Holly Mosques King Salaman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saudi and His Crown Prince His Royal Highness Emir Mohammed bin Salman for the keen interest to get this crisis settled down and boost brotherly ties among Arab Coalition members.

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