Suppose you have yet to follow the issue of Tiran and Sanafir or feel confused by the conflicting discussions on social media. In that case, I recommend reading these lines to understand the matter clearly.
Historical Background:
Tiran and Sanafir are two small islands located at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba, with a combined area of 113 square kilometers. The islands are uninhabited and are strategically important as the "Enterprise Passage" between them is used by ships heading to Israel, Jordan, and the Egyptian coasts on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Historical Periods:
Fifth Dynasty (2510 – 2460 B.C.): King Sahure sent an expedition to discipline tribes attacking trade caravans, asserting Egypt's sovereignty over the area.
Eighteenth Dynasty (1508 – 1458 B.C.): Similar expeditions were sent by Queen Hatshepsut and King Thutmose III to reaffirm Egyptian control.
Ptolemaic Period: There was no clear interest in controlling Sinai, allowing Bedouin tribes to dominate the region.
Roman Period: Tiran Island was used as a customs station by the empire.
Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman Periods: The area remained part of Egyptian sovereignty until the establishment of the first Saudi state in 1744 A.D.
Muhammad Ali Pasha’s Era: He sent his son, Ibrahim Pasha, to reclaim Hejaz, including Tiran and Sanafir, though Hejaz was later separated from Egypt by Ottoman decree.
Modern Developments:
1950: King Abdulaziz Al Saud requested that Egypt protect the islands from the threat of Israel after the 1948 war.
1956 and 1967: Israel occupied the islands during the Suez Crisis and the Six-Day War, but later withdrew.
1982: Under the Camp David Accords, the islands were confirmed as Egyptian but with conditions regarding the absence of Egyptian military forces.
1990: Egypt issued a presidential decree that included the islands within its borders.
2010: Saudi Arabia issued a decree outlining its maritime borders, claiming that the islands were Saudi territory.
2016: An agreement was signed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia acknowledging Saudi ownership of the islands.
Why the Big Interest?
In addition to its strategic location, the area is rich in natural resources, including a gas field discovered by Saudi Aramco.
Conclusion:
Regardless of whether the islands are more Saudi or Egyptian, what's clear is that Egypt's international standing and prestige are eroding. The current Egyptian regime seems willing to agree to any deal as long as it receives support or avoids a potential threat, raising concerns about the independence of national decisions.