Red Sea strategies [Archives:2002/29/Business & Economy]

MAHYOUB AL-KAMALI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Several Arab countries are closely linked to the Red Sea coasts. Several countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti constitute a regional link for protecting the international navigation lines and exploiting the sea wealth fully and effectively for the benefit of these countries.
The strategic location of the Red Sea stems from the fact that the Arab countries possess 85 percent of its coastlines. Sudan has got 717 km., Saudi Arabia 1890 km., Egypt 1425 km., Djibouti 245 km,. Jordan 28 km. and Eritrea 1012 km. Yemen has always been keen to establish good relations with these countries as part of cementing its cooperation and coordination with them..
Due to its strategic location, the Red Sea is one of the reasons behind the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Red Sea has been linked to the international navigation line which links the East and the West through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Sues Canal.
Yemens strategic location stems from having a number of islands in its territorial waters such as, Hunaish archipelago, Kamaran and other small ones scattered in the Red Sea. Hunaish archipelago is located near Bab al-Mandab Strait. It controls international navigation routes passing through to Yemeni seaports.
The archipelago consists of 10 volcanic islands, namely: Zuqar, Great Hunaish, Lesser Hunaish, Siul, Khawin, Abu Ali, Khaba, and Sharq Islands.
Kamaran island has a very important military location since it is forward defense line for the Salif Seaport, one of the most important oil terminal in Yemen.
The political importance of the island stems from the fact that it overlooks international marine routes to the west of the island. The Yemeni islands are featured by coastal plains, many coral reefs which obstruct marine navigation around the island, overlook the marine routes in the Red Sea.
The Yemeni as well as the Arab seaports extend along the Red Sea, such as, Aden, Makha, and Hodeidah harbors in Yemen, the Gulf of al-Aqaba in Jordan, Suez in Egypt, Port Sudan in Sudan and Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In order to achieve a long-term economic growth, Yemen has been seeking to increase the volume of trade exchange among the Arab countries situated along the Red Sea coasts.
Besides, Yemen has the desire to establish Arab free zones as well as protect the seaports of the Red Sea from the Israels covetous eye on the Arab lands.
In this respect, the US keeps an eye on the international navigation lines due to their strategic location at the international navigation lines and also to export oil from the Arab Peninsula and the Gulf states to the European countries and Japan.
Washington and Tel Aviv make every effort to utilize the Red Sea for their own benefits. As a result, Israel established contacts with Eritrea which has until now refused to join the Arab League.
The strategic location of the Red Sea lies in the fact that it is situated between both the African and the Asian coasts.
The number of islands reach 379. Yemen has more than 41 islands, Saudi Arabia has 146, Sudan 41, Egypt 26 and Djibouti 6 islands. These islands are featured by their strategic location as military outposts and forward defense lines . They are also used as lighthouses for guiding ships.
In order to establish a pan-Arab regional unity, Arabs must have good political as well as economic unified vision for the benefit of the all Arab countries. To realize Arab and international interests in this region, these countries be,:
– Placing much emphasis on the significance of the safety of international navigation lines and the safety of the whole region.
-Keeping an eye on the strategic entrances of the Red Sea.
-Protecting environment of the Red Sea and exploiting its resources effectively.
Geological studies have confirmed that the Red Sea has an economic importance for financial resources estimated at billions of US Dollars.
Studies have confirmed that the Red Sea comprises an opulent mineral wealth such as, iron, copper, gold, magnesium, zinc, brass and other useful minerals.
In addition to this, the sea has got a huge fish wealth and coral reefs estimated at 160 tons.
Establishing strong links among the Arab countries on the the Red Sea will help these countries achieve a sustainable development for sea resources and save its marine life.
As far as Yemen is concerned, the great significance of the Red Sea stems from the good number of trading seaports in Hodeidah, Saleef, Khokhah, Makha from which Yemeni oil is exported, electric power stations which supply power for harbors and cities, the huge fish wealth, mineral and coral wealth, etc. This importance was enhanced after opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, a development made big powers seek control the Red Sea routes.

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