The UAE has been setting up a military base in the Yemeni island Mayon without the knowledge of the internationally recognised Yemeni government, images taken by the US appear to show.

Arabi21 reported yesterday that America provided President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s government with images of the new base which is located in the strategic Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

Yemeni sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The United States informed the Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi about the [UAE’s] activity in this island which covers an area of 13 square kilometres.”

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According to the source, the images show the construction of a military base in the island taken by satellites. The source did not give details about what the Yemeni government is planning to do in response.

As part of the UAE project, the source added, a runway is being built on the island.

A member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen, the UAE has recently been increasing its involvement in Yemen and supporting the Southern Transitional Council in efforts to overthrow Hadi.

President Hadi has the backing of Saudi Arabia who has been working to reinstate his control over he whole country after the Houthis gained control of the north, including the capital Sana’a.