The a crisis on Socotra left hundreds of foreign tourists stranded after military shifts and airspace closures halted flights to and from the remote Yemeni island. About 600 travelers were unable to leave Socotra after escalating conflict disrupted airport control, according to Reuters, highlighting the growing instability tied to the Yemen war.
The situation unfolded after the United Arab Emirates withdrew its troops last week following a deadline set by Saudi Arabia. Flights stopped when authority over Socotra’s airport changed amid rising political tension between the two allies. The island, located about 186 miles south of Yemen’s coast, had been under UAE control since 2018 and was previously accessible through UAE airlines.
Tourists on the island reported confusion and lack of communication. Lithuanian visitor Aurelija Krikstaponiene, who traveled to Socotra over New Year’s Eve, said, “Nobody has any information, and everyone just wants to go back to their normal lives.” She said she was unable to return to Abu Dhabi as planned.
Government officials in Europe acknowledged the deteriorating security conditions. Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór wrote, “Sokotra is located in a highly unstable region where an armed conflict has been ongoing for years.” He added, “Currently, the security situation has further deteriorated — due to the intensification of military operations, airspace has been closed.” Polish officials later announced flights would resume to bring their citizens home.
The Socotra crisis comes as Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council claims control of key oil regions while urging U.S. partnership against Iran-backed Houthis. The U.S. State Department continues to list Yemen under “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” warning, “Do not travel to Socotra or any part of Yemen.” Officials also cautioned that some tourism operators misrepresent safety conditions and use invalid visas, stressing, “The U.S. government cannot assist U.S. citizens in Socotra.”
