Saudi Arabia officially incorporates the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir into its national map

 

Saudi Arabia officially incorporates the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir into its national map

Saudi Arabia has officially incorporated the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir into its national map, marking the conclusion of a territorial dispute that emerged after Egypt relinquished sovereignty over them in 2016, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GASGI) unveiled an updated kingdom borders map that now includes these two islands, Tiran and the newly named Sanafer, which have long been a subject of contention between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, according to the state-run agency.

The GASGI has urged government bodies to exclusively use the new official map of Saudi Arabia in online platforms, media outlets, publications, and promotional materials.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the GASGI underlined the significance of ensuring that government agencies representing the Kingdom in international organizations, conferences, and forums concerning geospatial data furnish event organizers with the most current official maps of the Kingdom, ensuring precise depiction of international land and sea borders, including islands.

This development comes seven years after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi signed an order in 2016 officially transferring the islands to Saudi Arabia.

In April of the same year, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud visited Cairo and announced a multi-billion-dollar investment package for Egypt.

Tiran and Sanafir have been subject to territorial claims by both Egypt and Saudi Arabia since the mid-20th century. Situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, these islands possess harbors claimed by both countries. Additionally, the Gulf of Aqaba entrance accommodates Israel's Eilat harbor and Jordan's Aqaba.

Control of Tiran and Sanafir has shifted between Egypt and Israel over the years. Occupied by Israel in 1967, the islands were subsequently returned to Egypt in 1982 when the two nations signed the Camp David peace accords. Since 1979, these islands have hosted a small multinational peacekeeping force, including an airport utilized by the troops.

For several months, the United States was reportedly involved in negotiations to transfer Tiran and Sanafir from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. In July 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that international peacekeepers, including U.S. troops, would withdraw from Tiran by year-end. In the same month, Israeli officials revealed their approval for the islands' transfer to Saudi Arabia, removing another obstacle that could lead to formalized ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.

It's worth noting that the intended transfer of the two islands from Egypt to Saudi Arabia was initially planned for 2018, but it required Israel's consent due to the presence of international observers mandated by the 1979 Israel-Egypt peace treaty.

Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/