While it has had little to do with the Saudi-led invasion of Yemen, once again the Yemeni government has lost control of the island of Socotra, this time to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group.
Yemen is accusing the STC of carrying out a ‘coup’ on Socotra, and it isn’t the first time. The UAE has long been reported to covet the island, and now that they have sided with the STC over the government, and since it is the southernmost part of Yemen, the STC is eager to control it as part of its intention to reestablish South Yemen as its own nation.
The government has depended heavily on the Saudi military for its fighting, and when the Saudis didn’t immediately invade Socotra to retake it, the Hadi government began accusing them of “betrayal.”
The Saudis haven’t responded to all of this, and don’t appear to be rushing to get involved. The Saudis tried to set up talks between the Hadi government and STC, but after the Hadi government didn’t make good on promises, they’ve seemed content to just let the South Yemen situation go.
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