Socotra is an island near Somalia's north eastern coast which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some locals see it as a power grab at the expense of their internationally recognised government led by President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The Hadi government says the UAE action is an act of hostility.

Formally, they are allies in the Saudi-led war against the Houthi rebels in the capital Sanaa. But the UAE has promoted separatists in the south and now calls the shots in large parts of that region and Socotra.  
And it's not just in southern Yemen, the Gulf country has been expanding its military influence across the Red Sea and Horn of Africa regions.

So, why is the United Arab Emirates deploying troops in Soctotra and elsewhere?

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