The coast guard battalion of the Yemen army’s 1st Marine Brigade on Socotra Island pledged allegiance to the internationally recognized government days after defecting to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

During a small military parade, the soldiers of the 1st Marine Brigade said they are committed to the military and would not rebel against state institutions. 

The soldiers renewed their pledge to work with the commander of the brigade and the government-appointed battalion command, and pledged not to receive any salaries from the STC. The defectors, who were lured to the STC by higher salaries, also called on the Yemeni army to support their efforts on the island. 

Maj. Gen. Nasser Abdullah Qais, acting commander of the coast guard battalion, said he would do everything in the public interest of Socotra to keep people away from conflicts.

"The doors of the brigade are open to all its members to return to the right path," he said, adding that the brigade will not act recklessly without exhausting peaceful ways to resolve conflict first.