Saudi-Egypt deal on Red Sea islands

Egypt’s decision to cede sovereignty over the disputed Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia has sparked outrage among some Egyptians

Possible route of proposed bridge linking Egypt and Saudi Arabia

EGYPT

SINAI PENINSULA

Sharm el-Sheikh airport

Gulf of Aqaba

Strait of Tiran

Sharm el-Sheikh

Red Sea

Ras Mohammed

SAUDI ARABIA

Sanafir Island

10km 6 miles

Tiran Island

ISRAEL

Cairo

EGYPT

RED SEA

500km 300 miles

Detail map

Riyadh

SAUDI ARABIA

RED SEA ISLANDS DISPUTE

1906: Ottoman Empire – ruler of Saudi coast on Red Sea – forced to cede islands of Tiran and Sanafir to British-controlled Egypt

1950: Saudi Arabia allows Egypt to take control of islands following creation of state of Israel

1967: Islands occupied by Israel during Six-Day War, before being handed back to Egyptian control in 1982 when two sides sign Camp David peace accords

2010: Egypt and Saudi Arabia begin formally discussing drawing of their maritime borders, including ownership of two islands

Apr 9, 2016: Islands officially placed under Saudi control

Source: Wire agencies