With Modern Equipment: The UAE Moves “Jabal Al-Nar” from Mocha to Abu Dhabi

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

Far from the spotlight and the noise of war, a hidden chapter in the systematic exploitation of Yemen’s wealth is unfolding in the heart of Mocha, Taiz Governorate.

Jabal Al-Nar, once a silent volcanic mass, has been transformed into an open-pit mine extracting gold, copper, zinc, and rare elements such as germanium, through large-scale mining operations run by the UAE via its local military proxies—foremost among them, Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh and his brother Ammar Saleh.

A recent investigative report revealed that the monthly revenues from these operations amount to tens of millions of Saudi riyals, in the absence of any government or civilian oversight.

The Mountain’s Terrain Has Changed—Satellite Images Don’t Lie

Satellite imagery paints a drastically different picture than what locals once knew. The mountain, once dark and rocky with volcanic features, is now covered in pits and light-colored debris, with new roads leading toward an airstrip under construction in the Dhubab area—suggesting the development of infrastructure specifically designed to transport raw materials away from any official scrutiny.

Massive Equipment Reveals the Nature of the Activity

Visual analysis of the images shows advanced industrial setups, including crushing stations, sorting systems, and conveyor belts—indicating that the site is undergoing organized surface mining targeting high-value strategic minerals.

A Logistical System That Doesn’t Resemble Development Projects

The logistical pattern observed in the investigation reveals a fully integrated system: an open quarry, heavy equipment, field camps, and a private road leading to a long runway in an otherwise deserted area. This model—previously documented in Hadhramaut and Sudan—reflects a typical Emirati approach to resource management that operates beyond any local oversight.

The new road connecting Jabal Al-Nar to the Dhubab airstrip points to a closed transport corridor, suggesting that raw materials are being flown out via cargo planes to undisclosed destinations without any official monitoring.

Rare Wealth Beneath the Ground—with Germanium at the Forefront

Geological data supports these findings. The region lies within a volcanic zone rich in sulfide and zinc deposits, with a high likelihood of containing rare elements such as gallium, indium, and germanium—whose global market value can reach up to $6,000 per kilogram.

Expanding Pits and Dramatic Changes in Just Two Years

Satellite images show a rapid expansion of mining pits and debris piles over the past two years—reflecting the volume of extracted materials and the significant transformation of the mountain’s landscape, all while no genuine development projects have been reported in the area.

Facade Projects, but a Reality of Looting

The investigation confirms that these activities are unrelated to any local development plans. Rather, they represent highly organized operations of significant economic value—carried out without any benefit to the local population, who have only received superficial projects.

The UAE’s activities in the area pose a direct challenge to Yemeni sovereignty, especially as they are linked to forces loyal to Tareq Saleh, who provide dual military and economic cover in the Bab al-Mandab region.

Eyewitness Accounts from the Ground

The report included testimonies documenting the movement of large, heavily guarded trucks traveling day and night along the newly built road connecting the mountain to the airstrip.

One resident said:

“The mountain used to be black and rocky, but within months, it became full of pits and white debris. The trucks never stop.”

Another added:

“The planes arriving in Dhubab don’t carry civilian passengers. They come loaded with unknown bags that head straight to the mountain.”

The Civilian Cover: A Transparent Deception

A local activist confirmed that the equipment on-site is not for civilian development, but rather for massive drills and conveyors used in mining operations.

Meanwhile, a resident of Yemen’s western coast expressed his frustration:

“They fool us with a school or a small road while our wealth is looted before our eyes. This is not development—it’s the theft of our children’s future.”

The investigation concluded that these activities have nothing to do with local development, but are part of a massive UAE economic operation that far exceeds the capabilities or resources of the local population.

It further stated that the control exerted by forces loyal to Presidential Council member Tareq Saleh provides dual cover for UAE activities—making the plundering of resources in Bab al-Mandab a direct threat to Yemeni sovereignty.