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State of emergency on Yemen's Socotra island leaves Polish tourists unable to return home

05.01.2026 11:11
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has said that the tourists are safe, with accommodation and food, and that the Polish embassy in Riyadh is in regular contact with them.
Saudi-backed Yemen forces have launched an offensive against southern separatists. Dozens of Polish tourists remain stranded on Socotra after flights were suspended, but the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they are safe and the embassy in Riyadh remains in contact.
Saudi-backed Yemen forces have launched an offensive against southern separatists. Dozens of Polish tourists remain stranded on Socotra after flights were suspended, but the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they are safe and the embassy in Riyadh remains in contact. Photo: YAHYA ARHAB/PAP/EPA/Google Maps

Dozens of Polish tourists remain stranded on Socotra after flights were suspended due to escalating violence.

A state of emergency has been declared on the island and entry ports temporarily closed, prompting flight cancellations and diversions. The main airline serving Socotra has halted operations, with flights suspended until 6 January.

The conflict in Yemen has intensified in recent hours between the internationally recognised government, backed by Saudi Arabia, and southern separatists supported by the United Arab Emirates, who are seeking to establish an independent state. Violence has also led to the temporary closure of Aden airport.

MFA spokesperson Maciej Wewiór emphasised that Socotra is in a highly unstable region where armed conflict has been ongoing for years, and that the security situation has recently deteriorated further, including the closure of airspace.

Poland’s foreign ministry continues to advise against travel to Yemen and encourages citizens to register their trips in the Odyseusz system, which facilitates contact in case of a crisis.


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Source: IAR/PR24/X/@RzecznikMSZ