Coalition Denies Presence of Emirati Forces on Mayun, Socotra Islands

A general view of Mayun island. Asharq Al-Awsat
A general view of Mayun island. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Coalition Denies Presence of Emirati Forces on Mayun, Socotra Islands

A general view of Mayun island. Asharq Al-Awsat
A general view of Mayun island. Asharq Al-Awsat

An official in the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen on Thursday dismissed as "baseless" reports that Emirati forces were present on Mayun and Socotra islands.

"All equipment currently present on Mayun Island is under control of the Coalition Command, and is situated there to... counter the Houthi militia, secure maritime navigation and support West Coast forces," said a statement on Saudi state news agency SPA, citing the official.

Current UAE efforts were focused on providing air support for Coalition operations in the city of Marib, the official added.



Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan Hold Third Round of Political Consultations

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
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Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan Hold Third Round of Political Consultations

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)

The ministries of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan held the third round of political consultations at the Saudi ministry headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji and Tajik Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Farrukh Sharifzoda headed their respective sides during the meeting.

Discussions focused on boosting bilateral relations between the two countries across various sectors, as well as intensifying bilateral and multilateral coordination on issues of mutual interest.

The consultation round was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan Waleed Abdulrahman Alreshaidan, Tajik Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Akram Karimi, and Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Asian Countries Director Nasser Al-Ghanoum.