Yemen Conflict Observatory
Regional Profile

Suqutra

Updated: 31 January 2024

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  • Methodology
Territorial Control Maps

Territorial control maps are generated through the expert assessment of the Yemen Conflict Observatory (YCO) team and they are updated on a quarterly basis. ‘Contested areas’ are defined on the district level (Admin2) and encompass active frontlines and territories disputed by the warring parties. Each map corresponds to a 'region' as defined by the YCO, potentially crossing governorate (Admin1) boundaries.

Links

Find links to relevant methodology docs below:

Coding decisions around the Yemen war

  • A brief overview of ACLED’s coding and sourcing methodology for Yemen

Quick Guide to ACLED Data

  • A brief overview of the most frequently asked questions by users of ACLED data

Knowledge Base

  • Guides for using and accessing ACLED data and documentation for ACLED’s core methodology
Map of territorial control in Yemen's Suqutra Region as of January 2024

This regional profile provides information about the Suqutra governorate. For more on the YCO and the ACLED methodology on Yemen, see the ‘More information’ tab to the right.

Overview

The Suqutra archipelago is a collection of four islands in the Indian Ocean, lying some 380 kilometers south of Yemen and 240 km east of the Horn of Africa. Situated between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea, the archipelago is strategically close to international shipping routes, placing it at the centre of Gulf maritime plans. The islands have not been part of the wider conflict, though it has experienced simmering tensions between competing parties backed by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, though this largely ended in 2022 as the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Emirati-affiliated forces assumed control of its administration.1Reuters, ‘Yemen swears in new governors for Hadhramout, Suqutra,’ 1 August 2022

Suqutra is the largest of the four islands in the archipelago, which since 2013 has constituted Suqutra governorate. The main island comprises two main districts: the governorate’s capital, Hidaybu, and Qalansiya wa Abd al-Kuri. The rest of the archipelago is made up of three smaller islands – Abd al-Kuri, Samha, and Darsa – and two rocky outcrops, Kal Firawn and Sabuniya, both of which are uninhabitable by humans. In 2008, Suqutra was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.2UNESCO, ‘Suqutra Archipelago,’ 2008 

Interactive Map

This dashboard includes political violence events recorded within this YCO-defined region since the start of the regional conflict on 26 March 2015. By default, the map displays data for the period beginning with the UN-mediated truce, on 2 April 2022, up to the most recent week.

Filters on the left allow users to define a time range and analyze trends in more detail. The toggle at the bottom of the dashboard activates markers indicating relevant infrastructure such as oil fields, airports, and military camps.

Conflict background

The overall hostilities that started in 2015 did not reach Suqutra island due to its isolated location off the mainland, with the Houthis subsequently being pushed out of most of the south of the country by Saudi-led Coalition forces in the early months of the war. The island, however, has since been a point of contention between the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) and UAE-backed groups, with the latter undertaking a major project to develop Suqutra into its main base for air, naval, and special operations forces in the Gulf, as well as the central command center for six naval bases located across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.3Zach Vertin, ‘Red Sea Rivalries: The Gulf, The Horn, & The New Geopolitics of The Red Sea,’ The Brookings Doha Center, August 2019, pp. 2-6

The UAE, which has long-standing historical ties to Suqutra,4Fatima Abo Alasrar, ‘Protracted Conflict on Yemen’s Island of Suqutra Reflects Rival Geopolitical Ambitions,’ Middle East Institute, 8 May 2020 significantly increased its presence in the governorate in 2015. Initially, it offered relief aid to residents following the dual Chapala and Megh cyclones that hit the island in November,5The National, ‘UAE has pledged $110 million in humanitarian aid to Suqutra since 2015,’ 31 July 2021 which devastated local infrastructure and damaged the local fishing industry. Eventually, the UAE went on to establish a notable military presence on Suqutra over the following eight years.6The New Arab, ‘UAE boosts military presence on ‘occupied’ Yemen Suqutra island,’ 2 May 2018 Initially, Emirati influence was focused on soft power – rebuilding Hawlaf port, constructing and renovating schools and mosques, establishing hospitals and medical facilities, and paying extra salaries to public servants, tribal leaders, and other key social figures – but has steadily built up its military presence.7Bethan McKernan and Lucy Towers, ‘Suqutra island: The Unesco-protected ‘Jewel of Arabia’ vanishing amid Yemen’s civil war,’ The Independent, 2 May 2018 

Administratively, though, the governorate was still run by a bloc formed by the Islah and Socialist parties, which had joined forces in 2004 to oppose the policies of then-president Ali Abdullah Saleh and had since built ties to his successor Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.8Al-Masdar Online, ‘The Socialist in Suqutra at the crossroads of unity, secession and foreign intervention,’ 6 June 2020 The growing Emirati presence also pushed Saudi Arabia into considering its position concerning the strategic island chain, beginning to implement competing reconstruction and humanitarian projects on Suqutra to build a foothold in the Gulf.

Although physically removed from the mainland, Suqutra was still subject to the same political tensions as the rest of the country; most notably, the escalating rivalry between the Hadi government and the STC that was turning violent in Aden by January 2018. The tensions came to a head on Suqutra three months later in April, when during a rare visit by then-Prime Minister Ahmad bin Daghir, hundreds of Emirati troops landed on the island, took control of the airport and seaport, and deployed tanks and armored vehicles at key points.9Lucy Towers, ‘Suqutra is finally dragged into Yemen’s civil war, ripping apart the island’s way of life,’ The Independent, 10 May 2018 The prime minister and 10 of his ministers were prevented from flying off the island back to Aden. The IRG accused the UAE of an “act of aggression” in occupying the island and issued a complaint to the United Nations Security Council.10Al-Jazeera, ‘UAE forces ‘occupy’ sea and airports on Yemen’s Socotra’, 4 May 2018

The incident prompted a wave of protests across the island, both against and in support of a continued Emirati presence. Before the situation could escalate any further, however, Saudi mediators brokered a deal for the replacement of the UAE troops with their own forces and the return of the air and sea port to local IRG control.11Masrawy, ‘Agreement on the UAE’s withdrawal from Suqutra after Saudi forces entered it,’ 14 May 2018 Nevertheless, Emirati soldiers remained, albeit in a more discreet role.12Al-Mawqea Post, ‘The Yemeni government accuses the UAE of sending separatist soldiers to Suqutra,’ 8 May 2019 The underlying tensions, though, remained on the mainland and the island, re-emerging in mid-2019 when fighting resumed between IRG and STC forces in Aden.13Rafid Jaboori, ‘Governor of Suqutra Vows to Confront UAE Allies,’ The Jamestown Foundation, 7 May 2019

The hostilities ended in November after the parties reached a Coalition-brokered truce deal, the ‘Riyadh Agreement,’ which stipulated the formation of a new unity government and the UAE announced the gradual withdrawal of its forces from Yemen. As with other IRG-controlled areas, despite the Riyadh Agreement, Suqutra continued to witness simmering tensions and intermittent skirmishes between the parties, while the UAE was accused of sending military shipments to support STC-affiliated forces on the island over the next two years.14Yemen Press Agency, ‘Emirati arms shipment arrives in Suqutra port,’ 20 November 2021

Deputy Governor Ramzi Ahmad Said Mahrus, a Suqutra native who rose through the ranks of the Yemen Socialist Party, and had led government protests against Emirati efforts to recruit hundreds of locals into a new Security Belt, was promoted by then-President Hadi to the governorship in April 2018. However, the IRG and STC announced parallel political and military appointments, sparking brief confrontations between partisan units until the greater Emirati influence led the bulk of the island’s key forces to declare loyalty to the STC and South Yemen.15Al-Jazeera, ‘UAE-backed Separatists Take Control of Suqutra,’ 21 June 2020

Mahrous was increasingly sidelined over the next three years as the STC’s and UAE’s influence grew. The situation was resolved in 2022 as the STC took control of the island as part of President Hadi’s ouster under the terms of the Saudi-dictated handover of power to the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in April. The STC appointed its local branch head, Rafat al-Thaqali, as the new governor, whom the PLC formally ratified in July.16SABA NET, ‘Appointment of Raafat Ali Ibrahim Al-Thaqali as governor of the Suqutra Archipelago,’ 31 July 2022

Timeline

  • 2015
    • Nov. | Chapala and Megh cyclones hit Suqutra; UAE sends aid campaign to rebuild
  • 2018
    • Apr. | UAE forces deployed on Suqutra island prevent IRG officials from returning to Aden
    • May | Saudi troops replace UAE forces as part of the Saudi-mediated deal
  • 2019
    • Nov. | Coalition-brokered Riyadh Agreement to end IRG-STC fighting. UAE announces a gradual withdrawal of troops from Yemen
  • 2022
    • Jun. – Jul. | After PLC formation, STC gains control of the administration of Suqutra, and appoint an STC-affiliated figure as a governor

Regional Context

UNESCO recognized the island as a world natural heritage site in July 2008. The Suqutra archipelago is world-renowned for its unique flora and spectacular wildlife. The site is of universal importance because of its biodiversity, with rich and distinct flora and fauna; 37% of Suqutra’s 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species, and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. 

The only port on Suqutra is 5 km east of the capital of Hadibu. Ships connect the port with the Yemeni coastal city of Mukalla, a journey that usually takes two to three- days and is used mostly for cargo. Yemenia and Felix Airways flew from Suqutra Airport to Sanaa and Aden via Rayyan Airport, but since the start of the current hostilities in March 2015, all civilian flights to Suqutra have been canceled.