A mysterious airstrip is reportedly near completion on a remote island off Yemen in a critical commercial shipping lane near the Gulf of Aden. The Associated Press analyzed satellite photos of the runway on Abd al-Kuri Island in the Indian Ocean, a placement that could provide a key landing zone for military operations in the waterway.

A new airstrip on Yemen's Abd al-Kuri Island raises security concerns amid Houthi attacks and regional tensions affecting global shipping routes.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

The airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, which rises out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, could provide a key landing zone for military operations patrolling that waterway.

The runway is likely built by the United Arab Emirates, which has long been suspected of expanding its military presence in the region.

A mysterious runway has appeared on a small island in the Middle East, sparking fears that a new military base could be on the way.