Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Yemeni authorities foil smuggling of rare plant seeds out of Socotra

Yemeni authorities foil smuggling of rare plant seeds out of Socotra

Security authorities on Yemen’s remote island of Socotra have foiled an attempt to smuggle out seeds of threatened plant species, a move that has won acclaim from local conservationists who have long fought to preserve the island’s ecological diversity.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the smuggling of at least 3 kg of seeds from 12 different rare plant species hidden inside a vessel sailing to Al-Mukalla, the capital of Yemen’s southeastern province of Hadramout, a local source told Arab News.

According to locals, the bust occurred by chance while security forces were searching for gold stolen from a house on the island.


The incident caused Yemen’s Water and Environment Minister, Tawfid Al-Sharjabi, to issue an order requiring the Environment Protection Authority and its offices on the island to remain present at its sea and air ports and work with security officials to thwart any subsequent attempts to smuggle rare plants.

Conservationists applauded the seizure, and demanded more stringent security measures along the island’s exit points to stop the smuggling.

Following a personal inspection of the seized cargo, conservationist and former head of the EPA’s Socotra office Ahmed Saeed Suleiman told Arab News that it contained seeds from 12 cultivated trees native to the island, including Adenium obesum, Commiphora ornifolia, Commiphora socotrana, Commiphora sp, Dorstenia gigas, Sterculia africana var. socotrana, Boswellia ameero, Boswellia elongate, Boswellia socotrana, Boswellia nana, Boswellia dioscoridis and Dendrosicyos socotrana.

Suleiman noted that smugglers used lax checks at the island’s sea and air ports, as well as the anarchy caused by the current conflict in Yemen, to smuggle rare trees off the island.

“Protecting indigenous species shouldn’t just apply to plants but also to insects and birds,” he said.

Suleiman asked for stricter rules and inspections at the island’s ports, the reactivation of EPA offices, and raising awareness among locals about the significance of preserving the island’s flora and wildlife diversity in order to combat trafficking.

“In recent years, chaos and changes in the civilian and military sectors have had a negative impact on services at sea and air ports, which have been limited to securing planes only,” he added.

UNESCO has designated the Yemeni island one of the world’s most significant flora and fauna sites because it is home to many unusual species of plant, bird, and marine life.

Socotra is home to 37 percent of the world's 825 plant species, 90 percent of its reptile species, and 95 percent of the world’s land snail species, according to the international body.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×