The construction of a new airstrip on Zuqar Island, a volcanic island located in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, has been revealed by satellite images. This airstrip is believed to be part of a larger initiative by forces opposing Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The presence of this airstrip may enhance military capabilities for conducting aerial surveillance over critical maritime routes, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is vital for international shipping.
Despite the strategic importance of the airstrip, it remains uncertain when or how it might be utilized for military operations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has previously developed similar facilities in the region, has not commented on this particular project. Yemen's anti-Houthi forces are currently fragmented and have struggled to coordinate their efforts, even in light of intensified airstrikes by the United States and Israel targeting Houthi positions. However, there have been recent successes in intercepting cargo bound for the Houthis, a capability that could be bolstered by the airstrip on Zuqar Island.
Analyst Eleonora Ardemagni from the Italian Institute for International Political Studies noted that the construction of the airstrip might primarily aim at countering the Houthis’ smuggling operations, particularly regarding weapons. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC, which have been analyzed, show a nearly 2,000-meter (6,560-foot) runway under development since April. The runway is situated approximately 90 kilometers (55 miles) southeast of Hodeida, a significant port city controlled by the Houthis.
The timeline of the construction indicates that work started with the development of a dock followed by land clearing for the runway. By late August, asphalt was being laid for the runway, and images from October confirm that this project is ongoing. Although no specific group has claimed responsibility for the construction, ship-tracking data shows the Togolese-flagged bulk carrier Batsa docked at Zuqar Island shortly after arriving from Berbera in Somaliland, suggesting logistical support for the project. Additionally, a Dubai-based maritime company acknowledged facilitating the delivery of asphalt to the island on behalf of UAE-based firms.
The UAE has been linked to multiple airstrip projects within Yemen in recent years. An existing project in Mocha, for instance, has enabled the landing of larger aircraft. Local officials attribute these developments to UAE support. Other significant projects include a runway on Abd al-Kuri Island, located in the Indian Ocean, and another on Mayun Island within the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is acknowledged by anti-Houthi forces connected to the UAE.
Zuqar Island holds a unique historical and strategic significance. Initially captured by Eritrea in 1995, it was later designated to Yemen by an international court in 1998. The island has experienced various conflicts, especially after the Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, prompting military action from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Anti-Houthi forces, including those loyal to Tariq Saleh, have since retaken control of the island, which serves as a staging area for naval operations.
Since the frontlines of the Yemen conflict have generally remained static, recent Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have escalated tensions, continuing even after sustained air campaigns targeting them. The complex landscape of fragmented anti-Houthi groups has struggled to mount a unified response during these airstrikes. Nevertheless, the increasing network of air bases around Yemen has coincided with notable seizures of weapons intended for the Houthis, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the conflict as external forces continue to intervene.
Ardemagni suggests that the establishment of an Emirati airstrip on Zuqar Island could enhance surveillance capabilities along the Hodeida coast and ultimately support Yemeni forces in tackling smuggling operations.
