UNESCO heritage site threatens rare species

SANAA, Yemen — Explosions rocked Yemen’s Socotra archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Friday, as an armed unit funded by the United Arab Emirates fought to wrest control of the provincial capital Hadebo, the former prime minister and witnesses said.

The unit is part of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council, which declared self-rule earlier this week in the south, sparking fears of new violence in the country already mired in more than five years of civil war.

The governors of Socotra and several other southern provinces rejected the self-rule bid and voiced support for President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Yemen’s internationally recognized leader who is based in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Witnesses said tanks and artillery pounded the mountainous district of Haybat, 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) outside of Hadebo early Friday as fighting raged between STC forces and forces loyal to Hadi’s government. Shells struck residential areas outside Hadebo.

A local radio journalist in Socotra said the Saudis deployed forces including armoured vehicles to stop the clashes. He said for weeks government forces had been setting up checkpoints and clashing with the STC, carrying out raids and arresting militiamen plotting to take over the governor’s office.

He said one government soldier was killed and others were wounded. “It’s the first time ever we witness such violence,” he said. “Since dawn, we have been hearing bombings and heavy gunfire.”

He and other residents spoke on condition of anonymity because of fear of retribution.

Socotra Gov. Ramzi Mahrous said in brief comments broadcast on state TV that his forces confronted the separatist militia and “managed to stop their advance.”