The mutiny comes after Socotra's government quelled a rebellion inside the special forces camp, the island's governor escaped an assassination attempt and the security director's brother was kidnapped
Five army battalions defect in Socotra, pledge allegiance to UAE-backed STC
[ A mutineer raises the flag of the former South Yemen, symbolic of the STC ]
Army battalions on the island of Socotra announced their defection on Tuesday from the 1st Marine Brigade and pledged allegiance to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), dealing a blow to Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
A local official in Socotra told Almasdar Online that the defecting battalions are the 3rd Battalion, Tank Battalion, Air Defense Battalion, Nojad Battalion and the Military Police Battalion.
The mutiny comes a day after the Yemeni government quelled a rebellion inside the special forces camp.
Tensions in Socotra were high this week following an assassination attempt on Gov. Ramzi Mahrous and the kidnapping of the brother of Security Director Mansour Al-Junaidi. Al-Junaidi also oversaw an ad-hoc committee formed to distribute money to soldiers and security personnel as part of a financial "incentive" initiative by Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
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Editing by Ahlam Mohsen and Casey Coombs
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