[29/July/2009]
By: Ayman Bajash
Translated and edited by: Mahmoud Assamiee
TAIZ, July 29 (Saba)- Bab al-Mandab is a strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with the Indian Ocean and separating the two continents Asia and Africa. History indicates that Ahbash (past term used for Ethiopians) came to Yemen through this strait.
The strait's distance between its two ends; from Manhali in Asian coast to Siayn on the African coast, is estimated at 30 Km ( 20 miles). At the middle of the strait, there is an island called Barim or Miyon which separates the narrow into two channels. The eastern one is called Bab Eskandar with 3 km wide and 30 m depth. While the western channel called "Daqat al-Mayon" is 25 km wide and 310 m depth.
Bab al-Mandab's importance has remained limited until digging Suez Canal in 1869 to link the Red and the Mediterranean sees. By operating the Canal, Bab al-Mandab has become one of the most important transport passages for some European countries, Mediterranean area, countries overlooking Indian Ocean and the Eastern Africa. Yemen has strategic preference to control this strait because it owns Barim (Miyoon) Island.
Bab al-Mandab district
Bab al-Mandab district is 205 km away from Aden city and 80 km from Taiz with population of 18,000 and an area estimated at 95 square kilo meter. Arriving the district, one finds himself in a point between the Red and Arab Sees.
An area between two seas
In the district, colonel Abbdul-Karim al-Mukahhal, the commander of the battalion in the area, reminded us on the verse in the holly Koran describing an area between two sees. These seas are the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea which meet in this point. Despite their meet in this area, every sea maintains its color, temperature and degree of saltiness. The Red Sea is light green more saltiness while the Arab Sea is blue.
He made it clear that the area from Yemeni coast till Miyoon Island in the middle of the narrow is 2600 meter, while Djibouti coasts are 24 km long. He said that according to history Miyoon is the island where British Queen Elizabeth held her wedding while the island was under British colony of the south of Yemen.
He talked about the role of this area in defending Yemen while Portuguese tried to invade it in Ottoman Era and Ottomans deterred them. He indicated that the age of this narrow is dated back to three million years.
Al-Mukahal affirmed that this area is safe against "Somali Piracy" because the area is 200 miles away of Somali coasts and they have no activity in it.
He talked about importance of this area, namely the islands along the sea among them Hunaish and Zuqar, the most important islands east and west envy Yemen for having them. While Director of Bab al-Mandab District Abdullative al-Shaghdari indicated that local council has a vision to give tourist certificate to all those who pass through between these two seas which encourage attracting tourists to it.
Assouwaidah and " Wazef"
In the district, there is Assuwaidah area which is full of "Wazef",(a very small dried fish Yemenis use after crushing it and add it to their dishes), spread in wide locations in the area and estimated at tons. Wazef is rich in protein and fishermen here depend on it for their livelihood, besides fishing. They export Wazef to different country's governorates and neighboring African countries.
"We are working on collecting Wazef as source of our livelihood, besides fishing. We pack it in sacks and drive them to nearby market and then to the rest of governorates and other countries," said Awadh Hatroush, a local.
He added that Wazef selling season is winter where there is great demand from the people. In this season we sell the sack (nearly 50 kg) for YR 10, 000. It is more available in autumn so that its price decreases and this sack is sold for YR 3000.
He indicates that the substance is a food to fish and remain in its small size.
Assuwaidah has very beautiful coast with unique location full of rocks which look like coral reefs exiting on the ground. If there is promotion to the coast, it can attract different local, Arab and foreign investments.
Ashoura Natural Protectorate
Ashoura Protectorate is located in Khour Ashoura Area. Its area is 2000 square meter. Sea waters cross through the protectorate like running river covering many trees fishermen said they used as a food to shrimps and fish called Arabi.
According to fishermen Mohammad Ambry, this area is considered a capital to fishermen because they benefit from it more and has old effects date back to hundred years. Currently, the local council is preparing a study to expand this Khour to reach the asphalted areas and is seen by every passerby.
Absent Basic Services in Dhubab
Dhubab area is considered the second in the district with only one park in the whole district. The area lacks easiest services it needs like water, electricity, health and education.
The director of the district Abdullatif al-Shaghdari, reviewed projects in the district, especially infrastructure projects; roads, educational and health, electricity and others. He called for investment in the district enjoys beautiful coasts and clean coasts.
He indicated that the council is currently cleaning the whole area and its coasts, especially after buying a car for this purpose.
Over water services, al-Shaghdari made it clear that two important projects have been carried out; the first is from public work an roads ministry with cost of YR 22 million. The second one is Dhubab Area Project with the cost of YR 20 million.
Concerning electricity services, al-Shaghdari indicated that people in the area have no access to public electricity but president directed during his recent visit to the area to supply the people with two generators, the first with the output of 1000 megawatt and the second with 500 watt besides the ongoing work to complete measures for providing the people with electricity.
He repeated in his call to investors to construct hotels and Chalets and barks, expressing support of local council to ease any difficulties facing these activities of investors.
Neither public hospital nor enough schools
In regard to health services in the district, Head of Development and Planning Committee in the area Sheikh Mohammad Ali made it clear that there is no public hospital in the district except military one. He indicated that there are five health units but with few cadre and medications are not enough to respond needs of small part of people.
Concerning education, Ali said there 21schools in the area with 157 teachers who do not cover all subjects. He indicated that Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was supporting every school with YR 500,000 to hire contracted teachers to fill the gab. But after the organization cut its support, the deficit of teachers raised again.
He called the government to support these basic services.
Saba
