U.S. troops arrive on Yemeni island

SANAA, Yemen, Feb. 24 (UPI) — Thousands of U.S. troops have poured into the Yemeni island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Iran, officials say.

Bikyamasr.com reported the soldiers’ arrival comes a few months after the announcement of the creation of a floating U.S. Army base near Yemeni waters.

The United States has been increasing its military presence in the Middle East amid heightening tensions between Iran and Israel.

“This fight has nothing to do with us. Why would they [the United States] involve us?” asked Abdullah, a Socotra shopkeeper.

Yemeni authorities denied the news and sent additional reinforcement forces to Socotra Island to protect the island.