The support of the United Arab Emirates towards brothers in Yemen in general and Socotra in specific goes back to tens of years as a reflect of instructions of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahya, may God rest his soul, and His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan, President of the UAE. In this context, the United Arab Emirates carries out a balanced role in Socotra, the Yemeni Island, in order to maintain security and stability, support the developmental projects, and help the people of the Island.
The historical link between the United Arab Emirates and Socotra goes back to long years before the war of the Arab Coalition against the Hothian Mortars, which follow Iran. You can find fragments of some Emirati sailors such as “Ismail Ahmed Jasem Al Hosni”, who mentioned many names of companions and relatives, and said that in the days of sailing ships, they brought dates from Basrah to Socotra in 1954. He stayed for a while on the Island, and married there. In 1987, he returned to Sharjah with his son and grandsons. He said that they transported Yemeni traders with fish to be sold in Mombasa and Zanzibar in Africa. He added that upon the end of diving season in the Gulf, they went to Socotra to dive in “Abd Al Kuri” Island, which was distinguished with its big shellfish. He said that all families in Sharjah had family linking to Socotra. In 1992, he returned with his memories to Socotra after completing his wooden ship in his plant in Al Butain, worked as transporter of fish to the United Arab Emirates, and established ice plant in Socotra.