International competition on the Yemeni coast in the 19th century

The Yemeni coasts and islands in the Red Sea are of strategic importance, as they overlook the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is considered the southern gateway to the Red Sea. The Red Sea has been a major trade route between East and West since the dawn of history. This strategic importance of Yemen's location, especially Aden and the Hanish Islands, undoubtedly increased international covetousness over Yemen, especially in the nineteenth and early centuries until the independence of South Yemen in 1967. This study illustrates the strong rivalry between Britain, Egypt, and Italy over these islands. The book examines the details of this rivalry and how Muhammad Ali arrived in Yemen and Britain stood in his way until it occupied Aden in 1839 and won. It then took control of the Hanish Islands after World War I in 1915. In the 1930s, Italy established a military base on the Hanish Islands, as well as a fishing company, which worried the British, who anticipated Italian movements on Hanish and issued warnings to the Italian government. Italy withdrew its control over Hanish and Jabal Zuqar after its defeat in World War II.