Saudi Arabia started building up a major naval base on the Yemeni island of Socotra, which it invaded and occupied during the recent military conflict between the countries, FNA reported.
"Hundreds of workers from Asian countries have been deployed by the Saudi navy to construct the kingdom's naval base on the island," FNA wrote, citing Arabic-language Al-Ittihad news’ website.
Socotra Archipelago is located about 400 km from the Yemeni mainland in the Indian Ocean and consists of four islands. Its largest island, also called Socotra, was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2008.
Saudi Arabia has been involved in the military conflict with Yemen for 144 days. Saudi authorities seek to bring back to power the country’s former president Mansur Hadi, who resigned in January 2015 and fled the country due to attacks of the Houthi rebels.
The Saudi bombing campaign has so far claimed lives of about 5,419 Yemenis, including women and children.
