Strategic Move: Mysterious Airport Being Built on Abdulkuri Island
The Associated Press has revealed the existence of a mysterious airport under construction on Abdulkuri Island, part of the Socotra archipelago in Yemen. It is believed that the airport is nearing completion.
This airport is one of several recently constructed in Yemen, which continues to endure intermittent conflict that threatens to flare up again.
Reports suggest that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the likely entity behind the construction of this runway, given its expanding military presence in the region and its support for the Saudi-led war against the Houthi rebels.
The Abdulkuri airport is considered a crucial landing site for maritime military operations. It is also expected to play an important role as trade shipping through the Gulf and the Red Sea has decreased due to Houthi attacks.
According to satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, the runway spans about 35 kilometers in length and 5 kilometers in width, with an asphalt surface and directional markings already in place.
The report also mentions that part of the runway is still under construction, with work underway on a missing section that stretches 290 meters.
The airport is expected to accommodate small aircraft and private planes, though it is unlikely to handle larger commercial airliners or heavy bombers due to its short length.
A spokesperson for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) noted that there is no information available regarding this airport, emphasizing that Yemen must provide the necessary details to the organization.
The Abdulkuri airport is not the only project of its kind. The UAE has also expanded the airport in the city of al-Mahrah on the Red Sea, which is expected to accommodate larger aircraft.
The news also highlights the ongoing construction of another runway near the town of Dhabbah in Taiz, indicating the UAE’s continued expansion of its activities in the region.
These developments suggest that the construction of the airport on Abdulkuri Island could be a strategic step by the UAE to prevent the smuggling of weapons from Iran to the Houthis, who are affected by the UN-imposed arms embargo.
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