[1] In the early 16th century Portugal was involved in a war over the control of the Indian Ocean trade, against the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, the Zamorin of Calicut and the Republic of Venice.

[2] Convinced that Socotra could serve as an ideal base to cut off hostile Muslim shipping sailing between India and the Middle East through the Red Sea, King Manuel of Portugal ordered that the island be captured, a fort built on it and a fleet stationed there.

The Portuguese reached Suq in April 1507 and found a well-fortified Muslim fort built by the Mahra of Qishn in Yemen on the Arabian mainland, which was used to collect tribute from the surrounding inhabitants.

[3][1] The commander of the Arab fort, sheikh Khawadjah Ibrahim, son of the sultan of Qishn, had 130 warriors and was offered the chance to capitulate peacefully but he refused.

[3] The fort was assaulted the following morning by two squadrons under the command of Tristão da Cunha and Afonso de Albuquerque, Khawadjah Ibrahim perishing in the struggle.

[3] The island continued to be a frequent port of call for Portuguese merchants or warships looking to obtain water or information on enemy movements whilst operating in the region, in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Camões, considered the greatest Portuguese poet, passed by Socotra, and the harsh climate of the island inspired him to write a poem called Junto a Um Seco, Estéril e Fero Monte ("By a Dry, Barren and Fearsome Hill").