Arab media have reported in recent days that the Emiratis have reactivated an operations center on Zuker Island, near Yemen, and that it is operating in support of the United States and Israel for intelligence purposes against the Houthis.
A Yemeni source confirmed the reports to News 15 and added that the Houthis are meanwhile working to improve their capabilities — notably split-warhead missiles — in both quantity and accuracy.
According to the reports, the base on Zuker Island is operating in coordination with CENTCOM and has recently become an intelligence hub after the UAE refurbished runways for cargo aircraft, installed warning and detection systems against UAVs and loitering munitions that might be launched toward Israel and the Red Sea, and built piers for maritime transport.
For example, a 2.1 km runway was constructed on the island, allowing use by multiple helicopters and large military transport aircraft, and a new 185-meter sea berth was added to support military supply. Logistics warehouses connected to the pier were also built. The camp, dubbed “site C,” contains operations rooms and satellite communications facilities, and the Emiratis are preventing Yemeni military personnel from entering the camp.