The United Arab Emirates is leading an effort to de facto take over Yemen's Socotra Island territory in order to watch over the narrow southern strait to the Red Sea. Is this for fighting or watching?
Huh:
According to a report published by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies in November 2023, Socotra Island includes an Emirati intelligence base where Israeli-made sensors can be deployed to locate Iranian missiles and drones.
The military base project on Abd al Kuri Island may be part of a military intelligence integration that includes Emirati and Western bases overlooking the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Technically, this isn't a land grab:
In 2018, as part of the Yemeni civil war, UAE military forces landed on the island and took control of key points. Today, the island is de facto controlled by the Southern Transitional Council, supported by the UAE.I imagine it was an offer the STC couldn't refuse. Such is life in a dangerous world.
This is a natural response to Iran's effort to extend its interdiction capabilities against Gulf Arab state oil exports to the Red Sea from land bases in surrounding land in Africa or Yemen.
Of course, for this intelligence to be effective America needs to try to fight the war rather than observe it and conduct a Red Sea production of Resolve Theater.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: I'm adding updates on the Last Hamas War in this post.NOTE: I'm now on Substack, with The Dignified Rant: Evolved.