Circulating images documented the burning of large quantities of khat plant in the Socotra Archipelago governorate, days after the local authority decided to prevent its entry into the governorate.

The pictures show  soldiers collecting quantities of qat, pouring petroleum on them, and burning them, in implementation of the directives of the governor of the governorate, Raafat Al-Thaqli.

Al-Thaqli had issued a decision last September not to allow the qat tree to enter Socotra through sea or air ports, or to trade in it or promote it “to preserve Socotra’s environment and culture, as well as the youth and their future.”

Socotra Governorate authorities said in a statement that they took the decision because of the social, economic and security damage caused by the narcotic qat tree.

The decision stressed that suppliers and sellers of the Qat tree will be arrested and the maximum penalties will be imposed on all violators.