> At a Glance
> – More than 400 foreign travelers are stuck on Yemen’s Socotra island after flights were suspended on January 1
> – A state of emergency declared December 30 closed all ports of entry
> – Americans are believed to be among those unable to leave
> – Why it matters: Tourists say embassies have offered little guidance, leaving them scrambling for boat passage to Oman
A New Year’s escape to Socotra’s white-sand beaches turned into a logistical nightmare when escalating clashes on Yemen’s mainland grounded every flight off the remote island.
How the Crisis Unfolded
Yemen’s rival factions triggered the shutdown. On December 30, authorities declared a state of emergency, sealing ports. By Thursday, January 1, Socotra’s only airport halted operations.
The U.S. embassy warned the situation could shift without notice and advised against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra.
Who’s Affected
- Over 400 foreign tourists are confirmed stuck
- Americans are believed to be in the group
- Visitors who arrived for New Year’s Eve celebrations now face open-ended delays
Socotra’s deputy governor for culture and tourism, Yahya bin Afrar, confirmed the total to AFP on January 5.
Escape Routes
With planes grounded, travelers are weighing limited options:
- Commercial ships to Oman, a journey some embassies reportedly suggested
- A potential detour through Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for those re-booking onward
Aurelija Krikstaponiene, a Lithuanian tourist, told NBC News her Abu Dhabi flight was scrapped Sunday and she’s now eyeing the Jeddah route.
> Aurelija Krikstaponiene said:
> > “Nobody has any information and everyone just wants to go back to their normal lives.”
Context of the Conflict
Yemen’s war, ignited after the 2011 uprising ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh, has killed roughly 400,000 people. Iran-backed Houthi rebels took Sanaa in March 2015, forcing President Mansour Hadi into exile.
Despite the mainland turmoil, UNESCO-listed Socotra-famous for dragon’s-blood trees-had stayed relatively calm until now.
| Key Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 30 | State of emergency declared, ports closed |
| Jan 1 | Socotra airport suspends flights |
| Jan 5 | Deputy governor confirms 400+ stranded |
Key Takeaways
- Flights remain grounded with no official restart date
- Tourists report minimal embassy assistance on the island
- Alternative sea routes are lengthy and weather-dependent
- The broader Yemeni conflict continues to draw in regional powers Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the U.S. and U.K.
Until air traffic resumes, Socotra’s once-peaceful shores are an unplanned extended-stay destination for hundreds of international visitors.
