ISTANBUL 

Yemeni authorities evacuated on Wednesday 179 foreign tourists stranded on Socotra Island to the Saudi city of Jeddah following unrest in southern Yemen.

The operation was carried out through joint coordination with Yemenia Airways, local authorities, cooperation from Saudi Arabia, and accredited embassies in Yemen, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“On Wednesday morning, the first Yemenia Airways flight was operated to transport foreign tourists stranded on Socotra Island due to recent events,” the ministry said.

It added that a total of 179 passengers departed on the first flight to Jeddah, while arrangements were ongoing to evacuate the remaining stranded tourists in the coming hours to ensure their safety and facilitate their return to their destinations.

Local media reported that more than 400 foreign tourists remain stranded on Socotra after flights were suspended amid the recent unrest in southern Yemen.

Yemeni government forces recaptured the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra from fighters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) early this week. The two regions, which account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory, were seized by the STC fighters last month. Government troops also headed to the southern city of Aden, the country’s temporary capital.

Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of pushing STC forces to carry out military operations along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

The STC says successive Yemeni governments have marginalized southern regions politically and economically and calls for secession. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and reaffirm their commitment to the country’s unity.