Red Sea

Key Points

• Physical Geography:
  • An inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia. One of the most saline bodies of water in the world.
  • Bordering Countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.
  • Connected to the Indian ocean in south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
  • In the north are the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez (leading to the Suez Canal).
  • Occupies a part of Great Rift Valley (Afro-Arabian Rift Valley).
• Recent Related Events:
  • Conflict in Yemen (Between the internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, and Houthi rebels supported by Iran).
  • Suez Canal jam.
  • First Joint Naval Exercise: US, UAE, Bahrain and Israel