Siyal Islands

Siyal Islands

Disputed island Native name: Jazā’ir Siyāl
Geography
Location	Red Sea
Coordinates	22°47′25″N 36°12′48″E
Total islands	3
Major islands	Siyal El Kabir (largest), two others (unnamed)
Area	2 km2 (0.77 sq mi)
Highest elevation	2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Highest point	unnamed point
Administration
Egypt
Governorate	Red Sea
Claimed by
Sudan
State	Red Sea
Demographics
Population	no permanent population
Ethnic groups	Huteimi

The Siyal Islands are a group of islands off the coast of northeastern Africa, located in the Red Sea. The islands are located in the Halaib Triangle, which is claimed by both Sudan and Egypt, as part of an ongoing border dispute. Since the 1990s, the islands have been occupied by Egypt, and so the islands are de facto administered by Egypt. They remain, however, to be claimed by Sudan.

Siyal Islands from space

Environment

The islands are surrounded by rocks and coral, and have a sandy surface with scant marine vegetation. The local fishermen, descendants of the Huteimi peoples identified by J. R. Wellsted, harvest turtle and bird eggs from the surrounding area. The islands are part of the Elba Protected Area of Egypt, and are home to white-eyed gulls, with an estimated maximum of seventy individuals, as well as several ospreys. They have been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.