Tourists stranded on remote Yemeni island after Saudi, UAE rift

Around 600 tourists are stranded on Socotra after the UAE withdrew its troops and the island's main airport closed amid a public rift with Saudi Arabia; Yemeni airlines said a flight to Jeddah is scheduled for Jan. 7.

About 600 tourists are reported to be stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra after the United Arab Emirates withdrew its troops under a deadline from Saudi Arabia. The island's main airport has been closed and air access disrupted. The dispute between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has spilled into Yemen, affecting control and services on the island. Socotra had been largely reached and supported via UAE links since 2018 and became a niche tourist destination. Known details: - Reuters reported that roughly 600 tourists remain on Socotra and some visitors say payment systems and ATMs are not working, leaving them reliant on cash. - The UAE withdrew forces after a Saudi deadline, and airport sources told Reuters the main airport is no longer under Emirati control and remains shut. - Yemeni airlines announced a flight to Jeddah for Jan. 7, which Reuters reported as an indication that control of the airport has shifted. Summary: Control and access to Socotra have shifted in connection with the Saudi–UAE dispute, disrupting travel and local services for visitors. Some tourists report dwindling cash and limited payment options. A Yemeni airline's planned flight to Jeddah on Jan. 7 is reported as the next scheduled movement, while broader arrangements and on-island control remain reported as uncertain.