Socotra Island Erupts in Protests Against Emirati Occupation, Resource Exploitation

نشر في Mar 3, 2025

Socotra Island witnessed angry popular protests rejecting the presence of the Emirati occupation and the exploitation of the archipelago’s resources and wealth for many years, amid shameful silence from the mercenary government.

The angry protesters condemned Abu Dhabi’s expansionist moves through strengthening its military presence, extending economic and strategic influence in the archipelago after the Emirati holding company took control of Socotra Airport. This led to tensions and an open sit-in by airport workers, who firmly rejected handing over the airport’s management to the occupation.

The demonstrators pointed to the Emirati occupation’s plan to invest in ports, airports in strategic areas of the Arabian, Red Seas, reflecting its clear interest in controlling maritime corridors and expanding its military presence in the region.

Since February 20th, workers at Socotra International Airport have begun an open sit-in to protest the decision to hand over the airport’s management to the Emirati company “Eastern Triangle.” The employees reject this move, which would grant the Emirati company full control over the airport, including replacing current workers with foreign employees. They consider this a violation of Yemeni civil aviation law and an infringement on the airport’s sovereignty and workers’ rights.

This comes amid complete silence from the mercenary government, while popular rejection of Abu Dhabi continues to grow and prices keep rising due to the monopoly of Emirati companies.

Last week, Yemen’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works has condemned the United Arab Emirates’s attempts to seize control of Socotra Airport through the Emirati company “Eastern Triangle.” It warned against the UAE’s continued implementation of a Zionist agenda that threatens Yemen’s security and sovereignty.