Over 400 tourists stranded in Socotra due to the closure of Yemen's airspace.

According to ТСН: More than 400 foreign tourists have found themselves in a difficult situation on the Yemeni archipelago of Socotra due to the cancellation of flights. This has led to a transport blockade caused by the escalation of the armed conflict on the mainland between government forces and separatists.

Reasons for the transport collapse

Flights to Yemen and within the country have ceased due to a surge of violence among groups belonging to the pro-government coalition but receiving support from external players, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The escalation of military actions and the closure of airspace have led to the suspension of regular flights from Abu Dhabi, which are the primary connection of the island to the outside world.

The Deputy Governor of Socotra for culture and tourism, Yahya bin Afrar, confirmed the complexity of the situation:

“There are over 400 foreign tourists there, their flights have been suspended.”

According to a local official, among those stranded on the island are 416 foreigners, including more than 60 citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as representatives from Great Britain, France, the USA, China, and Poland.

Diplomatic efforts and the security situation

Western diplomats note that tourists who arrived at the archipelago to celebrate the New Year are reaching out to their embassies requesting evacuation.

“Socotra is located in an extremely unstable region where armed conflict has been ongoing for years. Currently, the security situation has further deteriorated — due to intensified military operations, the airspace is closed.”

The local authorities urge to avoid involving civilian infrastructure in political conflicts.

“We have appealed and called for the restoration of flights. The airport should be kept away from political conflicts.”

The Socotra archipelago, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique flora and fauna, has long remained relatively calm amid Yemen's civil war. However, recently, the situation has worsened due to the advance of the Southern Transitional Council's forces, which receive support from the UAE, against the Saudi-backed forces. Accordingly, Riyadh has also carried out airstrikes on the separatists’ positions.

In this situation, it is important to emphasize that diplomatic efforts for the evacuation of tourists are ongoing. The uncertainty in the security situation on the island may complicate the return of foreigners home for a long time if the violence does not subside. Tourists are left hoping for a quick resolution of the conflict and the restoration of normal air travel.