Hundreds of Tourists on Yemeni Island Caught Up in Saudi-U.A.E. Rift

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Ismaeel NaarJanuary 7, 2026 at 02:59 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Approximately 600 tourists, primarily from Russia and Poland, are stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra after flights were suspended due to escalating conflict on the mainland. The flight cancellations stemmed from tensions between the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, and a separatist faction supported by the United Arab Emirates. A 72-hour air, sea, and land embargo imposed by the Yemeni government on December 30th halted flights to and from Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site popular for its unique biodiversity. The tourists had originally arrived via Emirati-owned Air Arabia from Abu Dhabi. A new flight route operated by Yemenia Airways to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is expected to begin regular service to alleviate the situation. The incident highlights the growing rift between Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. as they pursue conflicting interests in Yemen.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Jeddah 30% Yahya Saleh Issa bin Afrar 30% Abu Dhabi 30% Iran 40% Yemenia Airways 40% Air Arabia ×250% Houthis 50% Saudi Arabia ×370% Yemeni Government ×270% United Arab Emirates ×370% Yemen ×790% Socotra ×690%

Keywords

stranded tourists 100% socotra 90% yemen conflict 80% flight cancellation 70% united arab emirates 60% saudi arabia 60% separatist faction 50% geopolitical trap 50% proxy clash 40%