UAE’s Military Expansion: Bases In Yemen, Libya, Egypt & Somalia Spark Conspiratorial Concerns..

A study investigated the UAE’s establishment of military bases in eight countries, suggesting it aims to extend influence, particularly in the Red Sea area, raising suspicions of covert expansionist agendas, The study by the Carnegie Center for International Peace revealed that the UAE has set up military bases in Yemen, Eritrea, (Somaliland, Puntland Jubbaland) Somalia, Chad, Libya, Sudan and Egypt..

The study suggested that Abu Dhabi aims to broaden its influence in the Red Sea region and East African coasts by deploying a unique network of military bases, diverging from traditional strategies focused on containing neighboring powers or repelling external threats, Reports published by the Associated Press in March covered news of the construction of a new airstrip on the “Abdul Kuri” island of the “Socotra” archipelago, located in the Gulf of Aden in Yemen.

While no country has admitted to these construction efforts, Abu Dhabi stands out as a top contender due to its significant track record of covertly establishing similar forward military installations in the past decade. These actions align with its broader objectives of advancing military, security, and economic interests in the region.
It usually builds its military bases from scratch, expands existing facilities, or obtains a temporary use concession in allied countries, This adaptable planning approach not only minimize the typical material expenses associated with such facilities but also offers various practical benefits, particularly in regions plagued by widespread anti-government armed factions, such as Yemen and numerous African nations.

When the Emirati intervention in these wars ended, these bases were dismantled or converted to other uses, as happened in the Berber military base that was scheduled to be established in Somaliland and which was converted into a civilian airport, The UAE’s main goal in establishing these military sites, especially in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean region, maybe to protect the waterways from Houthi attacks, Somali piracy, and the increasing activity of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State on the eastern coast of Africa.

The UAE is usually keen to conclude cooperation agreements and conduct joint military training with local forces in the countries in which it intends to establish its military bases, Since 2012, it has trained Puntland’s maritime police force to combat piracy and opened a base in the coastal city of Bosaso in 2022, Before it began building military centers in Kismayo and Amjaras, the UAE signed two security agreements with Somalia and Chad, which include its commitment to provide military training to combat terrorism, The incident last February, where three Emirati soldiers were killed in Somalia by Al-Shabaab fighters at a training center in Mogadishu, underscores the risks associated with the UAE’s expansion of defense capabilities. This expansion places Emirati forces at the forefront, exposing them to potential targeting.