The Yemeni governor of Socotra Ramzi Mahrous said that the province is witnessing a massive chaos by the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council militia, which invaded Hadibo and took control of the Special Forces camp. While a security official was killed during clashes between the two parties in Abyan, the Yemeni army said that it had killed 34 Houthis through ambushes in Marib.
Mahrous added, "The governorate has been subjected to laxity and a suspicious silence from those who are expected to support it."
Local sources said that armed clashes between the Transitional Council forces and the Yemeni army stopped after the transitional council took control of the city.
The Special Forces camp in Socotra is one of the largest camps that were in the hands of the government forces, and was the temporary headquarters of the first Marine Corps of the legitimate government.
The president of the Southern Transitional Council in Socotra, Raafat Al-Thaqali, announced the imposition of self-administration in the governorate’s building, starting today, Saturday, and control of the island’s entrances and exits.
Sources confirmed to the island that the tasks were distributed to the security, military and administrative leaders of the Transitional Council to manage the province's security, military and administrative activities.
This comes after the transitional council seized control of the Governorate Court, the Socotra Security Administration building and a number of institutions, on Friday, following clashes with government forces.
In this context, the members of the Southern Transitional Council organized a pause to support the work of the Council in the city of Hadibu, the administrative center of Socotra Archipelago, at the invitation of the leaders of the Transitional Council in the island.
Rebellion and coup
For its part, the Yemeni government said that what is being implemented by the Southern Transitional Council in the Governorate of Socotra Archipelago is "a brutal attack, rebellion and a clear coup against the legitimate authority."
The government added - in a statement - that this armed attack represents the actual response to the determined efforts being made to restore the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.
The Yemeni government called on the Saudi authorities - by virtue of the presence of its forces in Socotra - to take urgent action to stop what it called the transitional council.
The statement called on the international community and relevant organizations - headed by UNESCO - to stand firm against what it called acts of sabotage threatening Socotra.
In turn, the Sheikhs of Socotra, Sheikh Isa bin Salem bin Yaqout al-Saqtari, said, in exclusive statements to the island, that the attacks of the Emirati-backed transitional council are taking place in full view of the Saudi forces stationed in the island, which were secured by the legitimate government and delivered these sites earlier. He accused the Saudi-Emirati coalition of plotting against legitimacy.
Clashes in Abyan
On the other hand, the Yemeni Ministry of Interior announced the killing of a security official with the rank of colonel in the battles of government forces against the southern transitional council militants in Abyan governorate (south).
In a statement, the ministry called the patrol and road security police chief, Colonel Sabri Ali.
"Sabri was killed while facing the forces of rebellion and darkness of coup militias that wreaked havoc and destroyed everything related to law and order," the statement said, referring to the forces of the Transitional Council. He added that such rebellions will not increase the people of Yemen and the national army except cohesion and determination.
In this context, Anatolia news agency quoted military sources as saying that Sabri was killed late Friday evening in the Al-Tarya area of Abyan, during fierce battles between the two parties that killed and wounded dozens.
Governmental sources added that the government forces made progress and took control of military positions of the Transitional Council in the Nujaid mountain range near the city of Jaar, the center of Khanfar district in Abyan.
Government forces are seeking to complete control of Abyan governorate and then advance towards Aden governorate, which has been controlled by the forces of the Southern Transitional Council since last August.
Ambushes in Marib
In Marib Governorate, sources in the Yemeni National Army said that at least 34 Houthi militants were killed by ambushes carried out by the army forces in the Majzar district, northwest of the governorate.
The sources added that the army forces carried out ambushes for reinforcements of the Houthis on the road between the Al-Jouf Junction area and the city of Al-Hazm, and also seized military vehicles, including a tank, armored vehicle, vehicles and various weapons.
A source in the army said that among the dead of the Houthi leader was Sadiq Al-Radmani, who is one of the field leaders of the Houthis in the Sirwah District, west of Ma'rib Governorate.