Assab Base

The United Arab Emirates established a military base at Assab in southern Eritrea in 2015 under an agreement that provided the UAE with access to the port, airport and surrounding facilities. The location became a major expeditionary hub for Emirati operations in the Red Sea and the war in Yemen, taking advantage of Assab's position across the water from the southern Arabian Peninsula.

The UAE expanded Assab's airport and military infrastructure, including its runway, aircraft facilities, port facilities and areas for military equipment. The base supported air operations, maritime logistics, military transport and the movement of personnel and equipment toward Yemen. It also became a staging and training location for forces involved in the wider conflict.

Assab's strategic importance extended beyond its immediate military functions. Its position on the Red Sea placed the UAE close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, and provided a forward position from which Emirati forces could support operations and monitor developments along the southern Red Sea.

The UAE began withdrawing its forces from Assab in 2021 as part of a broader reduction of its direct military involvement in Yemen. Satellite imagery showed the removal of heavy equipment and the dismantling of parts of the military infrastructure. The facility is therefore classified as a former UAE overseas military base rather than an active Emirati installation.