DUBAI: Rumors about the presence of United Arab Emirates forces on the Yemeni islands of Socotra and Perim are untrue, an official source in the Saudi-led Arab coalition told Saudi state news agency SPA on Thursday.

Perim island – also known as Mayyun in Arabic - is under the control of the coalition and serves to enable the legitimate forces and the coalition forces to confront the Houthi militia, secure maritime navigation, and support the forces of the West Coast.

The current Emirati effort is concentrated with the coalition forces in confronting the Houthi militias by air in defending Marib.

The coalition stressed that respect for Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial unity is one of the deep-rooted principles of the coalition.