copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-04-22): Every day, over three million barrels of oil travel from the Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. Ships navigating this route travel westward through the Arabian Sea into the Gulf of Aden, then turn north, entering the Red Sea via the narrow pass at Bab el-Mandeb before proceeding on to the Suez Canal. The Socotra archipelago occupies a critical strategic position en route to Bab el-Mandeb, the most vulnerable chokepoint on this key energy transit corridor. Socotra's central location also makes it an ideal launch point for interdicting pirates and smugglers. [...] Ultimately, through de-escalation and mediation with the STC, the Saudi government is offering Hadi a face-saving compromise. At the request of the president-in-exile, Riyadh dispatched its own forces to the island, thereby symbolically upholding Hadi's claim to stewardship over Socotra as the legitimate government of a united Yemen. The move was also a victory for the STC, whose forces are entrenched on the island and will remain there. But while the Hadi government's dependence on Riyadh gave the Emiratis the upper hand, it is unlikely that the matter is settled. Socotra is still a prize, and Turkey and Qatar — as well as Iran — still have a vested interest in pushing out Emirati and Saudi influence.
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2020-07-17): Socotra, the largest of four islands in the Socotra archipelago (Yemen), is characterized by high geo-morphological and biological diversity. Traditional management of land resources has been impacted by cultural shifts, globalization and urban expansion. In addition, the island has been affected by climate impacts, such as droughts and recent cyclones causing significant economic and environmental damage. Our study presents an analysis of the dynamics of the vegetation on the island for the period 2001–2019 and highlights the status of different landscapes. We used Earth Observation techniques and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index to assess land productivity dynamics basing on vegetation indexes derived from average resolution satellite images. The results show that although the arid landscapes of Socotra seem resilient, over 30% of the central mountainous areas of the Hageher (hosting a unique and high biodiversity) are decreasing in productivity, whereas in the lowlands (where plant diversity is relatively lower) productivity has increased significantly for the same time period, up to 40% in some areas. Given the difference in biological diversity of the sites, this study can help prioritize conservation areas and activities, which are crucial for Socotra’s terrestrial environment. [...] Banfield LM, Van Damme K, Miller AG (2011) Evolution and biogeography of the flora of the Socotra archipelago (Yemen). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 197–225 [...] Scholte P, Al-Okaishi A, Suleyman AS (2011) When conservation precedes development: a case study of the opening up of the Socotra archipelago, Yemen. Oryx 45(3):401–410
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-08-26): The incident is reminiscent of a similar episode in late August 2020. At the time, online media spoke of Israeli-Emirati activities on the island of Socotra, a remote territorial outpost of Yemen located 340 kilometers south of Yemen and 100 kilometers off the Horn of Africa. While there is no confirmation of plans for a spy base, from which maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean could be conveniently monitored, Issa Salem bin Yaqut warned in September 2020 that Yemen’s sovereign rights were being undermined. The head of the Socotra tribes was referring to the UAE’s activities to gain a military foothold in the shadow of the Southern Transitional Council (STS) – which took control of the island in mid-2020 – and, on the other hand, to tie the island more closely to the UAE, as recently reported by France24 and Responsible Statecraft.
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2020-01-21): During a trip to Yemen in mid-2019, I visited the Socotra archipelago, where another chapter of the Yemeni conflict is being written today. I spent several days there, interviewing locals and visiting important places. Developments in Socotra illustrate how the island has become a regional football, much as have other parts of Yemen, while the internationally-recognized government of President ‘Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi has struggled to maintain its authority. Socotra, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, is the largest of Yemen’s islands and is a part of an archipelago consisting of four islands and two rocky islets. Two of the islands, ‘Abd al-Kuri and Samha, are inhabited, while a third, Darsa, is uninhabited. Socotra, which was declared a natural reserve in 2000, has an area of 3,650 square kilometers. The archipelago was a part of Hadhramawt Governorate, before becoming its own governorate in 2013.
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-04): Companies outside of Yemen have misrepresented the security situation on the Yemeni island of Socotra. They offer tourist visits, including by facilitating unofficial and invalid "visas." Only the sovereign Republic of Yemen government can issue valid Yemeni visas. Companies that arrange such visits are putting tourists in danger, including legal jeopardy. While security conditions may be less volatile than on the mainland, the U.S. government has no presence and no way to assist U.S. citizens who travel there. U.S. citizens should not travel to Socotra or any other part of Yemen. [...] Due to risks to commercial shipping operating within or in the vicinity of Yemen territorial waters, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued a Maritime Advisory. For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI).
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-06-14): This is especially worrying as Socotra is one of the most biodiversity rich islands in the world. It supports globally significant populations of animals, including a number of endangered species. Seventy percent of the island is protected land and it hosts 700 endemic species. The Yemeni website "Green Dream" published a report on UAE policies that harm Socotra’s environment. The report describes a wide array of environmental malpractices including overfishing, illegal trade in endemic species, increased waste, and infringing on the island’s cultural fabric. [...] As Farea al-Muslimi, a non-resident fellow at Chatham House, notes: "The UAE has surprised everyone, even themselves, with how well they’ve done militarily in Yemen. They have almost had free rein as a result to control and have presence in whatever they want in the country, including Yemen’s ports, which is a prize for them." But Socotra is not a prize. It is a rich ecosystem with an indigenous population. The prime location of the island has created a unique culture influenced by the Middle East, Africa, and India. Socotris value their heritage and environment, which are now both under threat. Not only is Socotra under threat, but the entirety of Yemen. Through building military bases both in Socotra and Mayun Island, the UAE is aggressively pursuing a hard-line stance in Yemen. It is establishing itself as a military power for the long haul.
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-23): - Official Tourism Site of Socotra island, Yemen - GlobalSecurity.org - Socotra, Indian Ocean - Middle East Research and Information Project - Revolution in Socotra - UNESCO World Heritage Convention - Socotra Archipelago, Yemen - Ancient Origins - The Lost World of Socotra: The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth - Minority Rights Group International - Yemen: As the civil war rages on, the island of Socotra battles with climate change Socotra, island in the Indian Ocean about 210 miles (340 km) southeast of Yemen, to which it belongs. The largest of several islands extending eastward from the Horn of Africa, it has an area of about 1,400 square miles (3,600 square km). The Hajīr (Hajhir) Mountains occupy Socotra’s interior, whereas narrow coastal plains lie in the north and a broader plain in the south. To the southwest and west are the smaller islands of Samḥah and Darzah, called al-Ikhwān ("the Brothers"), and ʿAbd al-Kūrī, all of which also belong to Yemen. The islands stand on coral banks and may once have been connected with the African and Arabian mainlands. Socotra’s flora includes several famous species, among them myrrh, frankincense, and the dragon’s blood tree. In recognition of its distinct plant and animal life, the archipelago was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2017-09-01): On 20 March 2009, the Republic of Yemen submitted to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, information on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured in respect of south east of Socotra Island. [...] On 15 July 2010, the Republic of Yemen submitted to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, amended information on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured in respect of south east of Socotra Island. On 18 January 2017, the Republic of Yemen submitted to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, revised amended information on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured in respect of south east of Socotra Island, which according to the coastal State replaces in its entirety the previous submission.
Claim: Socotra Archipelago is a territory of Yemen (Socotra Archipelago, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2018-05-07): The United Arab Emirates, facing criticism from top Yemeni allies over its presence on the island of Socotra, said on Sunday that its role on the strategic Yemeni territory had been "distorted". [...] Socotra, which has been spared the violence that has ravaged mainland Yemen, sits at the exit of a bustling shipping lane that leads from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Socotra archipelago of four islands and two islets was listed by UNESCO in 2008 as a world heritage site because of its rich and distinct flora and fauna, much of which can’t be found anywhere else on the planet, Bloomberg reported.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-18): Tromelin Island (/ˌtroʊmlɪn/[citation needed]; French: Île Tromelin, pronounced [il tʁɔmlɛ̃]), once called the Isle of Sand, is a low, flat island in the Indian Ocean about 500 km (310 mi; 270 nmi) north of Réunion and about 450 km (280 mi; 240 nmi) east of Madagascar. Tromelin is part of the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean, the fifth district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, a French Overseas Territory, but Mauritius claims sovereignty over the island. [...] Sovereignty claims [edit]Tromelin is administered as part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, a French Overseas Territory, but Mauritius claims sovereignty over the island despite its absence in the listing of the 8th article of the 1814 Treaty of Paris.[19] Indeed, the treaty does not specifically mention all the dependencies of Mauritius, which leads to uncertainty on the sovereignty of Tromelin, and the official text was that written in French. During the British period of Mauritius, France administered the island as a dependency of the region of Réunion and built infrastructure without British protest. France and Mauritius have been negotiating for years in regard to the possible establishment of a condominium over the island. In 2010, Mauritius and France reached an agreement on the co-management of Tromelin, without prejudice to the sovereignty of Mauritius over Tromelin.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-01-01): Tromelin Island, once called the Isle of Sand, is a low, flat island in the Indian Ocean about 500 km north of Réunion and about 450 km east of Madagascar. Tromelin is administered as part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, a French Overseas Territory, but Mauritius claims sovereignty over the island. Tromelin has facilities for scientific expeditions and a weather station. It is a nesting site for birds and green sea turtles.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-03-31): Tromelin Island is an island in the Indian Ocean. It is located off the shore of Madagascar and not far from Réunion. The island is an overseas territory of France, but Mauritius claims that the island is theirs.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-03): Tromelin Island is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 450 kilometers east of Madagascar and over 500 kilometers north of Mauritius. [...] One of the most tragic events in the history of Tromelin Island was the shipwreck of the French East India Company vessel "L’Utile" in 1761. The ship was secretly transporting Malagasy slaves to Mauritius, contrary to French regulations. Following the shipwreck, approximately 80 slaves were abandoned on the uninhabited island by the crew, who left on a makeshift boat with a promise to return. Despite this, it would be 15 long years before any rescue attempt was made. In 1776, when de Tromelin finally arrived at the island, only seven women and an eight-month-old child survived, living off the limited resources available on the barren island. [...] In the contemporary era, Tromelin Island is mostly uninhabited, except for meteorological station staff and occasional researchers. Conservation has been a primary focus, given the island’s role as a nesting site for green turtles and its hosting of unique bird species. Notably, France and Mauritius have been in discussions over the sovereignty of Tromelin Island. While a co-management agreement was signed in 2010, it has yet to be ratified, leaving the island’s status in a state of limbo. Despite these disputes, the shared commitment to preserving the island’s ecological significance remains a priority for both nations.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-05-08): Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 as a Parliamentary Republic and has remained a stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record. The country also attracted considerable foreign investment and now has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Mauritius’ often fractious coalition politics has been dominated by two prominent families each of which has had father-son pairs who have been prime minister over multiple, often nonconsecutive, terms. Seewoosagur RAMGOOLAM (1968-76) was Mauritius’ first prime minister and he was succeeded by Anerood JUGNAUTH (1982-95, 2000-03, 2014-17); his son Navin RAMGOOLAM (1995-2000, 2005-14); and Paul Raymond BERENGER (2003-05), the only non-Hindu prime minister of post-independence Mauritius. In 2017, Pravind JUGNAUTH became prime minister after his father stepped down short of completing his term, and he was elected in his own right in 2019. Mauritius claims the French island of Tromelin and the British Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory). Since 2017, Mauritius has secured favorable UN General Assembly resolutions and an International Court of Justice advisory opinion relating to its sovereignty dispute with the UK. [...] Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory); claims French-administered Tromelin Island Mauritius-France: Mauritius has claimed French-administered Tromelin Island (part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands) since 1976
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2023-04-16): Embark on a journey to Tromelin Island, a speck of serenity amidst the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, where the symphony of whispering winds and lapping waves creates a soothing melody for the soul seeking refuge from the frenetic pulse of the world. Located approximately 500 kilometers north of Mauritius, Tromelin, a French Overseas Territory, unveils a uniquely solitary experience, inviting explorers to immerse themselves in an untouched sanctuary where nature’s subtle grandeur unfolds in every gentle breeze and horizon kissed by the setting sun. [...] Tromelin Island is not a destination for those seeking luxury resorts, eclectic markets, or cultural immersion. It is a retreat for the soul that seeks to commune with nature in its purest, most unadulterated form, to find peace amidst the soft sands and gentle waves, and to bask in the boundless openness where sky and sea become one.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2020-05-06): Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 as a Parliamentary Republic and has remained a stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record. The country also attracted considerable foreign investment and now has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Mauritius’ often fractious coalition politics has been dominated by two prominent families each of which has had father-son pairs who have been prime minister over multiple, often nonconsecutive, terms. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1968-76) was Mauritius’ first prime minister and he was succeeded by Anerood Jugnauth (1982-95, 2000-03, 2014-17); his son Navin Ramgoolam (1995-2000, 2005-14); and Paul Raymond Berenger (2003-05). In 2017, Pravind Jugnauth became prime minister after his father stepped down short of completing his term, and he was elected in his own right in 2019. Mauritius claims the French island of Tromelin and the British Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory). Since 2017, Mauritius has secured favorable UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions and an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion relating to its sovereignty dispute with the UK. [...] Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands; claims French-administered Tromelin Island
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Based on the ICJ advisory opinion, Mauritius took the Maldives - with whom it shares a border - to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to confirm Mauritius' maritime borders. In doing so, the tribunal ruled that the UK's administration over the Chagos Islands was unlawful and that they were Mauritian territory. This, too, failed to resolve the issue. [...] For the UK, it ensures continued strategic presence through its joint military base with the US. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it would also 'shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK.' In recent years, a few migrants have arrived on the Chagos Islands, with some seeking asylum in the UK. Once they become Mauritian territory, Mauritius will be responsible for future arrivals. [...] France, similarly, has 16 overseas territories, including Mayotte, Reunion, Tromelin Island, and small islands in the Indian Ocean neighbouring Africa. The US has 14. Other countries maintaining overseas territories include Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Spain, and China. Could the resolution of the Chagos Islands issue set a precedent for other similar territories?
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-08): The British Indian Ocean Territory was created in November 1965. It encompassed seven atolls in the Chagos archipelago, which were legally separated from Mauritius along with three islands – Aldabra, Desroches and Farquhar – that were later ceded to the Seychelles when it gained independence in 1976. [...] The British Indian Ocean Territory was established through a statutory instrument, which legally detached the islands from Mauritius without requiring parliamentary oversight. Britain paid Mauritius £3 million as part of the agreement. [...] It also helps remove a lingering colonial issue from Britain’s international agenda, especially after years of legal and diplomatic pressure from Mauritius and international bodies. For the UK, it signals the end of its final colonial territory in Africa, a significant milestone in its decolonisation process.
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Tromelin [edit]Tromelin Island lies 430 km north-west of Mauritius. Mauritius claims sovereignty over Tromelin island, though it is registered as a part of France. [...] Mauritius's claim is that since Tromelin was a dependency of Isle de France, it was 'de facto' transferred to Britain in 1814. The islands of Agaléga, St Brandon and the Chagos Archipelago were also not specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Paris but became part of the British Colony of Mauritius as they were dependencies of Isle de France at that time. In addition, the British authorities in Mauritius had been taking administrative measures with respect to Tromelin over the years; for instance, British officials granted four guano operating concessions on Tromelin island between 1901 and 1951.[20] In 1959, British officials in Mauritius informed the World Meteorological Organization that it considered Tromelin to be part of its territory.[125] A co-management treaty was reached by France and Mauritius in 2010 but has not been ratified.[126] [...] Mauritius considers the territorial sea of the Chagos Archipelago and Tromelin island as part of its exclusive economic zone.[15]
Claim: Tromelin Island is a territory of Mauritius (Tromelin Island, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-07-15): The Outer Islands of Mauritius (French: Îles éparses de Maurice) is the first-level administrative divisions of the country and consists of the islands of Mauritius and several outlying islands.[1] The Outer Islands of Mauritius are managed under the aegis of the Prime Minister of Mauritius through Prime Minister's Office[2] by the Outer Islands Development Corporation which is the authority empowered under the law to manage the Outer Islands of Mauritius. The Prime Minister is also Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity.[3] The Constitution of Mauritius states that the Republic of Mauritius includes the islands of Agaléga, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Saint Brandon (Cargados Carajos shoals), Tromelin Island, and the Chagos Archipelago (including Diego Garcia and other associated islands).[4] The Government of Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, which the United Kingdom split from its territories to create the British Indian Ocean Territory before its independence in 1968. Additionally, France shares a sovereignty claim over Tromelin Island, an uninhabited island between Madagascar and Mauritius's main island.[5]