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Tourists on the remote Yemeni island of Socotra find themselves stranded following the withdrawal of United Arab Emirates troops from Yemen last week, as tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia escalate. Approximately 600 tourists, including Americans, Europeans, and Chinese nationals, are unable to leave the island due to halted air traffic at Socotra's main airport, which has been affected by the conflict on Yemen's mainland.
The island, known for its unique biodiversity and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become a popular destination for adventure tourism. However, the recent geopolitical developments have left tourists in limbo.The United States Department of State has advised against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra, and stated that the US government cannot provide consular services to citizens there.
The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) controls Socotra, but recent clashes between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the STC have intensified, leading to the suspension of flights. The Socotra airport remains closed, leaving tourists to seek assistance from embassies with limited success.
The UAE's influence over Socotra began in 2018, with significant investments in infrastructure. However, the ongoing power struggle between the UAE and Saudi Arabia has disrupted this stability.
Flights are expected to resume soon, but tourists remain uncertain about their return home. Some have been advised to take commercial ships to Oman before flying back to their countries.