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Hadhramaut’s governor said ports and airports would soon be operational after Saudi-backed government forces drove secessionists from the south.
Around 400 tourists are stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra after their flights were grounded due to clashes on the continent between government troops backed by Saudi Arabia and secessionists with ties to the United Arab Emirates.
Over the past few days, flights to and from Yemen have been largely restricted due to heavy fighting between rival armed factions loosely grouped under Yemen’s conflicting government, based in the southern port city of Aden.
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The Socotra Islands, located 380 km south of the mainland, are under the control of armed forces supported by the United Arab Emirates. Southern Transitional Councilwhich clashed with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government in Hadramout and al-Mahra provinces.
Yahya bin Afrar, deputy governor for culture and tourism of Socotra, the largest island in the Socotra archipelago, said “more than 400 foreign tourists” are stranded after their flights were “suspended”.
A local official, who spoke to the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity, said 416 people of different nationalities were stranded in Socotra, including “more than 60 Russians.”
An unnamed Western diplomat said “British, French and American” nationals were also among the stranded tourists.
Very unstable region
In an article on X on Sunday, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewior said Polish tourists were also stranded, adding that flights to Socotra by an Emirati airline had been suspended until Tuesday.
“Socotra is located in a very unstable region, where an armed conflict has been going on for years. Currently, the security situation has further deteriorated. Due to the intensification of military operations, the airspace has been closed,” the message said.
A travel agent in Socotra said at least two Chinese nationals were also present.
Tourists stranded on the island, many of whom were there for New Year’s celebrations, are now asking their embassies for help to be evacuated, according to another Western diplomat.
“Their relevant embassies have contacted the Saudi and Yemeni governments to request their evacuation,” the diplomat said.
Aden airport has been operational since Sunday, after disruptions that lasted several days.
Commitment to restore order
Yemen’s civil war entered a new phase last month when UAE-backed STC secessionists expanded their presence in southeastern Yemen in a bid to establish a independent state.
But this week, Saudi-backed “Homeland Shield” forces retook the country’s oil-rich southern governorates. Hadramout and al-Mahra, which represent almost half of Yemen’s territory, to the STC rebels.
In the past, opposing forces were allied under the Aden-based Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) – the governing body of the internationally recognized government – against the Houthis, who control most of northwest Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.
On Friday, Salem al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadramout, was chosen by the government to command Saudi-led forces in the governorate.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Monday, al-Khanbashi said the governorate’s ports and airports would soon be operational, emphasizing the need to restore service to Seiyun airport in northern Hadramout.
He pledged to restore security and stability, saying meetings will be held with all political and tribal groups to form a united front aimed at protecting the governorate against future attacks.
Compensation will be extended for damage to public and private property caused during the advance of the STC. Authorities are focusing on restoring electricity, water and health services, al-Khanbashi said.
