New Airstrip on Yemen's Abd al-Kuri Island: A Mystery Unfolds

Deep in the Indian Ocean, a remote island named Abd al-Kuri in Yemen is seeing some unusual activity. Satellite images reveal that an airstrip is nearly complete on this small dot of land. This could be a game-changer for military operations in the region, especially those patrolling the Gulf of Aden. Commercial shipping through the Gulf and Red Sea has been under threat due to attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, making this new airstrip significant. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is suspected to be behind this construction. The UAE has been expanding its military presence in the region and is part of the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis. The airstrip could provide a crucial landing spot for surveillance flights and intercept weapons smuggling from Iran to the rebels, who remain under a U. N. arms embargo. Despite the ongoing conflict, the future of this airstrip is uncertain. The Houthis have linked their campaign to the Israel-Hamas war, and experts worry that a ceasefire in that conflict might not stop the rebels. They fear attacks on Israel, U. S. warships, or even a miscalculation in the war could shatter Yemen’s relative calm. President-elect Donald Trump’s approach to the emboldened rebel group adds to the uncertainty. Abd al-Kuri Island is part of the Socotra Archipelago, strategically located between Africa and Yemen. During the Cold War, it occasionally hosted Soviet warships. Recently, it’s been overseen by Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, which advocates for Yemen to split into north and south again. The UAE, which has backing this council, appears ready to open the airstrip, even leaving a playful “I LOVE UAE” message in the sand. The new airstrip could help intercept weapons smuggling, as shown by a U. S. Navy SEALs operation that captured a smuggling vessel near Abd al-Kuri. However, the situation remains tense, with experts warning that an outbreak of war could happen soon.