DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Recent satellite imagery indicates that a secretive airstrip located on the isolated Abd al-Kuri Island in Yemen is approaching completion. This construction is part of a series of airstrips developed in a country embroiled in a protracted conflict that shows no signs of resolution.
The airstrip, positioned amidst the Indian Ocean close to the Gulf of Aden, could become a pivotal military landing area for operations monitoring this crucial maritime route. The significance of such a facility grows in response to halving commercial shipping activity in the Gulf and Red Sea — vital corridors for cargo and energy deliveries to Europe, as a result of assaults by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen. Furthermore, these waters have witnessed an increase in arms trafficking from Iran to Houthi fighters.
Reports suggest that the construction work on the airstrip is likely being carried out by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has been suspected for years of augmenting its military footprint in the region while supporting a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis.
The Houthis have attempted to tie their military agenda to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, raising concerns among analysts that a potential ceasefire in Gaza might not lead to a halt in Houthi hostilities, which have gained global attention. In light of recent Houthi attacks on both Israel and U.S. naval vessels in the Red Sea, there are rising anxieties about the ramifications for American service members in the vicinity. As tensions rise, a strategic miscalculation by any of the various factions, a new assault on Israel, or an attack on American forces could disrupt the current relatively stable environment.
“It appears the Houthis thrive on warfare — it reinforces their ideology,” noted Wolf-Christian Paes, an expert from the International Institute for Strategic Studies who specializes in Yemen. He highlighted their narrative of being engaged in a grand struggle against those they consider their enemies, emphasizing that they believe they are achieving success.
Satellite images gathered recently show that construction on the airstrip is nearly finished. According to images captured on January 7 by Planet Labs, heavy machinery and trucks have been spotted working on the airstrip, which is approximately 35 kilometers (21 miles) in length and 5 kilometers (3 miles) at its broadest point.
The airstrip has received paving with numerical marking designations “18” and “36” at its northern and southern extremes, respectively. However, a 290-meter (950-foot) section of the 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) long strip remained under construction as of the latest observations, with equipment actively laying asphalt. When completed, the airstrip will accommodate private jets and smaller aircraft, though its dimensions may restrict larger commercial airlines or heavy bombers.

Since Abd al-Kuri lies at a safe distance from Yemen’s mainland, it minimizes potential Houthi threats to the airstrip, as they would face challenges launching an assault from land, according to Yemen expert Mohammed al-Basha of the Basha Report risk advisory firm.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based in Montreal, is unaware of the new airfield, indicating that Yemen, as a member state, is obligated to supply relevant details about any airstrips to the organization. There is already an airport registered at nearby Socotra Island.
Abd al-Kuri is not the only location witnessing airfield expansions. Authorities in the city of Mocha on the Red Sea reported significant developments to its airport to increase capacity for larger aircraft, with allegations that the UAE funded these improvements. The trajectory of Mocha’s airstrip mirrors that of the Abd al-Kuri strip and shares similar dimensions.
Moreover, imagery from Planet Labs has revealed another unclaimed airstrip under development just south of Mocha in the vicinity of Dhubab, with recent images indicating that this runway is fully constructed, though it appears unmarked.
Abd al-Kuri is part of the geographically strategic Socotra Archipelago, located just 95 kilometers (60 miles) from the African shore and about 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Yemen. During the late Cold War, the archipelago served as a resting spot for Soviet naval vessels due to its strategic positioning.
In overseeing Abd al-Kuri, Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council has been advocating for a renewed partition of Yemen into northern and southern entities similar to its pre-1990 state. Support and armament of the council by the UAE align with their stance against the Houthi faction, which has controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014.
The UAE has previously attempted to establish a presence in the region, having constructed a base in Eritrea and made attempts to build an airstrip on Mayun Island, positioned strategically at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. However, unlike previous ventures, the UAE seems poised to operationalize the Abd al-Kuri airstrip, as evidenced by large piles of dirt near the runway spelling out “I LOVE UAE.”
Additionally, an Emirati-flagged vessel was documented off the coast of Abd al-Kuri during January 2024, with multiple sightings off Socotra throughout the year, suggesting a continued military presence in the region.
While the UAE continues to frame its involvement as humanitarian, asserting that their relief efforts are conducted in conjunction with the Yemeni government and local authorities, questions linger regarding the true intent behind their operations at Abd al-Kuri.
As the UAE marked the anniversary of a Houthi missile attack on Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized themes of strength and solidarity for his country. Despite the ongoing conflict, outreach to the Southern Transitional Council and Yemen’s exiled government regarding the airfield has not yielded responses. Tensions around the UAE’s presence on Socotra highlight the Houthis’ narrative of foreign expansionism into Yemeni territory.
Reports indicate that the new airstrip on Abd al-Kuri could facilitate covert surveillance missions around Socotra and contribute to counteracting the smuggling of weapons from Iran to Houthi forces, which are bound by a United Nations arms embargo. A U.N. Security Council report indicated that a notable U.S. military operation in January 2024 occurred near Socotra, intertwining with ongoing efforts to disrupt illicit arms trade routes.
The evolving dynamics indicate that further military moves may deepen the conflict. The forthcoming decisions by the U.S. administration will be critical in determining the trajectory of this ongoing struggle. As the situation remains precarious, analysts fear an escalation in hostilities may be inescapable in the upcoming months.