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A mysterious airstrip built on a Yemeni island comes as Houthi rebels are increasingly squeezed
The nearly 2,000-meter airstrip aims to enhance surveillance and disrupt Houthi smuggling amid over 100 attacks on ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, analysts say.
- In recent months, satellite photos show a nearly 2,000-meter runway was built on Zuqar Island, a strategic volcanic site 90 kilometers southeast of the Houthi-held port city of Hodeida.
- The UAE is believed to have built multiple runways in Yemen in recent years, linking bases along key shipping routes as Houthis attacked over 100 ships, sank four vessels and killed at least nine mariners.
- Satellite photos show the build progressed from dock construction and land clearing to asphalt laying by late August and runway markings by October, while Saif Shipping and Marine Services confirmed delivering asphalt and the Batsa spent a week at the dock.
- Improved surveillance from Zuqar would aid monitoring off the Hodeida coast, supporting Yemeni forces opposing the Houthis amid recent weapons seizures praised by U.S. Central Command.
- No party has claimed the airstrip, the United Arab Emirates did not respond to requests for comment, and Tariq Saleh's loyalists control Zuqar, though military use triggers remain unclear.
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Associated Press News+22 Reposted by 22 other sources
A mysterious airstrip built on a Yemeni island comes as Houthi rebels are increasingly squeezed
Satellite images reveal a new airstrip under construction on Yemen's Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, likely by forces opposed to the country's Houthi rebels.
·United States
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A new airstrip is being built on a volcanic island in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, as satellite images show, probably a new project of allied forces opposed to the country's Houthi rebels, who in turn are backed by Iran.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources26
Leaning Left8Leaning Right2Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
L 36%
C 55%
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