Will Abu Dhabi Achieve Washington’s Dream on the Yemeni Island of Socotra?

The strategic location of Yemeni Socotra Island and its presence on the international maritime corridor linking the Indian Ocean and East Asia countries with the rest of the continents made it one of the most important sites in the world from the military point of view to many of the powers. Among these forces is the United States of America which is striving to establish a military base on the island.

America’s possession of a military base on Socotra will enable it to control four of the most important waterways in the world, namely the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia. This base can also direct strikes by air or missiles to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Horn of Africa countries.

Observers believe that the Emirati move on Socotra Island is only part of an American military plan aimed at controlling the strategic sea routes and waterways of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean as part of its conflict with major countries, including Russia and China.

The USA seeks to militarize the main sea routes connected to the Bab al-Mandab, therefore it is working to have a military base on Socotra Island to be used to monitor the movement of ships, including warships in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and Bab al-Mandab, a major sea lane linking the Middle East and East Asia and Africa with Europe and the Americas.

According to the observers, the current UAE moves on Socotra Island and its attempt to take full control of the island may have taken place with an American green light after discussing the matter with Saudi Arabia, which abandoned the “Hadi government” and the Islah Party on the island, and settled the matter in handing the island to the Emirates. The latter, in turn, will hand it over to the Americans to establish a military base in the end.