Socotra: STC pledges to halt escalation for Ramadan, but reserves right to respond to government escalation
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The Southern Transitional Council (STC) issued a statement on Thursday pledging to “stop escalating” conflict on the archipelago of Socotra out of respect for elders and the month of Ramadan, though the group said it would respond to any hostilities.
The statement also repeated its call for President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to dismiss Socotra Gov. Ramzi Mahrous.
On May 1, forces loyal to the UAE-backed STC attacked government forces with heavy and medium weapons captured from the 1st Marine Infantry Brigade. Five battalions defected from that brigade and pledged allegiance to the STC in mid-April.
Saudi soldiers intervened in early May and mediated a truce between the two sides.
In his weekly video meeting with ministers, Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed reiterated the government’s rejection of STC interference in state institutions, theft of public resources and any attempts to undermine the security, stability and safety of residents on the archipelago.
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Edited by Ahlam Mohsen and Casey Coombs
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