Hundreds of international tourists are facing an extended stay on the remote Yemeni island of Socotra, after a sudden escalation in violence on the mainland led to the suspension of all flights. More than 400 visitors from various nations, including British, French, American, and Russian citizens, find themselves stranded in the UNESCO-listed archipelago, known for its otherworldly landscapes.
Flights Grounded as Violence Flares
The crisis unfolded following a flare-up of fighting between rival armed factions in Yemen, loosely affiliated with the internationally recognised government but backed by competing regional powers. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia support the opposing groups, whose recent clashes have forced the closure of airspace. A state of emergency declared last month has halted all foreign and domestic air travel to and from the island.
Yahya bin Afrar, Socotra's deputy governor for culture and tourism, confirmed that over 400 tourists were stuck as "their flights have been suspended." A local travel agent, speaking anonymously, provided a similar figure, noting the island typically relies on three weekly flights from Abu Dhabi carrying foreign visitors. "We have appealed and called for the resumption of flights," the official said, urging that the airport be "kept away from political conflict."
International Appeal for Evacuation
Diplomatic channels are now buzzing with activity as stranded holidaymakers reach out for help. A Western diplomat revealed that "dozens" of foreign tourists are now stranded after their return flights were cancelled. "People are stuck on the island and reaching out to their embassies now for help to be evacuated," the diplomat stated. Their relevant embassies have contacted both the Saudi and Yemeni governments to seek a safe evacuation plan.
Polish foreign ministry spokesman Maciej Wewior took to social media platform X on Sunday to confirm that Polish nationals were among those affected. He stated that flights operated by an Emirati airline had been suspended until at least Tuesday, warning that Socotra is "located in a highly unstable region" where the security situation has "further deteriorated."
A Fragile Paradise Untouched by War
The Socotra archipelago, lying roughly 350 kilometres off the Yemeni coast, has been a magnet for adventurous travellers and influencers drawn to its unique "dragon blood" trees, endemic wildlife, and pristine waters. Home to around 50,000 people, the islands have largely been spared the devastation of Yemen's near-decade-long civil war.
However, the current instability stems from tensions within the anti-Houthi coalition. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which controls Socotra, recently made military gains on the mainland, angering Saudi Arabia. The Saudis have responded with airstrikes, creating a dangerous rift that has now spilled over to disrupt civilian travel. With the airport in Aden on the mainland only resuming operations on Sunday after days of disruption, the path home for the hundreds of stranded visitors remains uncertain.
