Yemen: 12 injured in clashes in Socotra Island between coast guards ed separatist militias
At least 12 people were wounded in clashes between Yemen’s coast guards and “separatist militias” backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), when the latter tried to land in the Yemeni Socotra Island in an attempt to take over the seaport, the Yemeni local authority in Socotra and officials said on Wednesday.
The clashes erupted on Tuesday afternoon following the arrival of a UAE-flagged vessel at the island’s main seaport.
“The separatist troops attempted to unload military vehicles and machine guns from the vessel in an attempt to seize control of the island’s seaport,” the local authority, which is loyal to the internationally-recognized government, said in a statement.
“The coast guards backed by the security forces engaged in clashes against the separatist militias, forcing them along with their vessel to run away from the seaport,” the local authority said.