Mysterious new airstrip rises on Yemen’s Zuqar Island

 

Zuqar Island Airstrip satellite image from Planet Labs PBC 

A new 2,000-meter airstrip has appeared on Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, satellite images reveal, sparking speculation it is part of a growing UAE-backed network of bases aimed at countering Yemen’s Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels. The volcanic island, located 90 kilometers southeast of Houthi-controlled Hodeida, offers a strategicperch overlooking the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a key chokepoint for global shipping.

 

Construction began in April, with docks and asphalt laid by late summer, according to imagery analyzed by the Associated Press. No government or group has claimed the project, but the UAE has previously built runways on other Yemeni and offshore islands, including Mocha, Mayun, and Abd al-Kuri, often supporting anti-Houthi forces loyal to commander Tariq Saleh.

 

Analysts say the Zuqar base could boost surveillance and interdiction of Houthi weapons smuggling routes. It also signals a tightening squeeze on the rebels, who have attacked over 100 ships and killed at least nine mariners in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas war began. Despite heavy U.S. and Israeli airstrikes under “Operation Rough Rider,” the Houthis remain entrenched across northern Yemen.

 

The UAE and Yemen’s fractured anti-Houthi coalition have not commented on the island runway. Still, experts suggest it could mark the early stages of a broader campaign to contain Houthi influence — or a potential launchpad for future operations should the regional conflict escalate.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Satellite images show a 2,000-meter runway built on Yemen’s Zuqar Island.

• Likely linked to UAE-backed anti-Houthi forces expanding Red Sea presence.

• New base could target Houthi smuggling and enhance regional surveillance.

 

Source: [Associated Press / Yahoo News]

 

 

 

Possibly a place from which to track vessels on the Red Sea. Possibly a place about to be converted to a tourist venue. Honestly, if no military weapons are shipped in, good luck to Yemen.