Hanish Islands

The Hanish Islands are an archipelago in the southern Red Sea, positioned between the Yemeni and Eritrean coasts near the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route. The group includes several islands and reefs, the largest being Greater Hanish, and is notable for coral reefs and fishing grounds.

The islands have little permanent infrastructure and are mainly used by local fishers; the reefs and shallow seas are important for marine life and small-scale fisheries. They also have limited freshwater and sparse vegetation adapted to the arid climate.

In 1995 the islands were the scene of an armed confrontation between Yemen and Eritrea over sovereignty; the dispute was later resolved through international arbitration that awarded sovereignty over most of the islands to Yemen. The episode highlighted the islands’ strategic location in Red Sea shipping lanes.

Geographically the Hanish group lies in the southern Red Sea, between Yemen’s western coastline and the Eritrean coast, and is within the maritime approaches to the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

• 1995 dispute: The islands lie in a strategic location in the southern Red Sea near the Bab al-Mandeb strait and were the focus of a 1995 armed clash between Yemen and Eritrea followed by international arbitration.
• Marine life and fisheries: Shallow waters, coral reefs and seagrass beds make the islands locally important for fisheries and marine biodiversity, though infrastructure is minimal.

What to See #

• Greater Hanish: Greater Hanish (also known as Juzur al-Hanish al-Kubra) is the largest island in the group and contains most of the limited vegetation and landing sites used by fishermen.
• Minor islets and reefs: Smaller islets and reefs in the group provide sheltered anchorages and diving sites and together form the island group referred to as the Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea.