January 8, 2026 | 07:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Three Indonesians have been stranded on Yemen's Socotra Island since January 3, 2026, amid Saudi Arabia's closure of Yemeni airspace.
"They are stranded in Socotra after Yemeni airspace was closed by the Saudi government during the military strike on the port of Makala in Yemen on December 30," said Acting Director of the Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, during a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Heni said the three Indonesian tourists entered the island through a UAE-based Socotra travel agency. They are unable to leave since there are no operational flights.
As of Thursday, the Indonesian government is still in touch with the three citizens, confirming they are in good, healthy, and safe condition. Flights in Yemen have reopened since January 7, and the ministry is attempting to fly them back to Indonesia today and tomorrow.
"Our representatives in Muscat and Abu Dhabi are pushing for the three Indonesian citizens to be included in these flights, and of course, we will continue to monitor the situation," Heni said.
Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, urges Indonesian citizens to avoid conflict areas. Still, he said, there have been no reports of Indonesian victims in Southern Yemen.
The Indonesian government also strives to monitor the presently unstable situation, especially in Yemen's south. The government assures that the safety and security of Indonesians are prioritized, along with pushing for a peaceful resolution without conflict.
The situation in Yemen escalated on December 30, 2025, after the STC forces seized control of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra in early December. These two provinces cover almost half of the Yemeni territory and directly border Saudi Arabia.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced that the leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarous al-Zubaidi, had fled to the United Arab Emirates via Somaliland. The UAE was accused of smuggling Al Zubaidi out of Yemen.
In a statement on Thursday, January 8, the coalition announced that Al Zubaidi fled in the middle of the night on Wednesday by boarding a ship from Aden in Yemen to the port of Berbera in Somaliland. He then boarded a plane with UAE officers and flew to the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu.
"The plane turned off its identification systems over the Gulf of Oman, then turned it back on 10 minutes prior to arrival at Al Reef military airport in Abu Dhabi," the statement read.
There have been no direct comments from the STC or the UAE.
Read: Saudi-Led Coalition Strikes Yemen After STC Leader Ousted
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Saudi-Led Coalition Strikes Yemen After STC Leader Ousted
23 jam lalu
The air strikes come amid a deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and UAE, which backs forces fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
UAE to Withdraw Troops from Yemen After Saudi Strikes
8 hari lalu
The UAE has announced the withdrawal of its remaining counter-terrorism units in Yemen on Tuesday night, following an attack by Saudi fighter jets.
Yemen Scraps Defense Deal, Demands UAE Troop Withdrawal
9 hari lalu
The Yemeni government has canceled its defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has called for the immediate withdrawal of all Emirati forces.
Saudi Arabia Bombs Yemen, Links UAE to Separatists' Advances
9 hari lalu
Yemen's Saudi-backed presidential council canceled a defense pact with the UAE and asked its forces to leave the country within 24 hours.
Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills 26 Journalists, Houthi Reports
15 September 2025
The Houthi group in Yemen announced on Sunday that an Israeli airstrike on Sana'a last Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 26 local media journalists.
Yemen's Houthi Launches Eight Drone Strikes on Israel, Including on Ramon Airport
8 September 2025
Houthi launched eight drone strikes on Israel, including an attack on Ramon airport in southern Israel that injured several people earlier on the day.
Houthi Condemns Killing of Yemeni PM and Other Ministers in Israel Attack
31 Agustus 2025
Houthi condemns the killing of Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and other ministers in an Israeli attack in the Yemeni capital earlier this week.
Israel Pounds Yemen, Netanyahu Says Houthis Are 'Paying a Heavy Price'
25 Agustus 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen following Israeli airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Israel Threatens to Devastate Yemen as It Did to Tehran
22 Juli 2025
Israel claimed to have intercepted a missile launched from Yemen a day after attacking the Hodeidah port.
Israel Claims to Intercept Houthi Ballistic Missile from Yemen
17 Juli 2025
Israeli military asserts that they have intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Houthi from Yemen.
