The Red Sea archipelago that served as a prison for centuries of exiles

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located off the coast of Eritrea, the Dahlak Archipelago is a collection of 126 islands with a history far more turbulent than its tranquil waters suggest. Once a strategic Islamic foothold and a notorious site for political exile, these islands have transitioned from a colonial prison to a protected marine sanctuary.

The history of the Dahlak Archipelago is defined by its isolation and strategic value. By the early 8th century, following pirate raids on Jeddah, the islands became a key Islamic outpost. This geography made them an ideal site for political containment. Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan utilized the islands as a prison, and in 717–718, the governor of Khurasan, Yazid ibn al-Muhallab, was sentenced to exile there. The poet Al-Ahwas Al-Ansari was also banished to this 'land of thorns' for several years for penning satirical verses against the ruling Caliphate.

By the 12th century, the islands were governed by a line of sultans who maintained a degree of independence while navigating the complex politics of the Red Sea. These rulers often held titles reflecting their Sunni faith, mirroring the prestige of leaders in Aleppo. However, the archipelago's strategic importance eventually drew the attention of larger powers. The Ottoman Empire conquered the islands in 1517, and later, the Portuguese intervened in 1541, destroying local infrastructure. By the 19th and 20th centuries, the islands served as a colonial base for the Italians and later as a Soviet naval facility during the Cold War.

Today, the archipelago is a part of Eritrea and remains sparsely populated, with only three of its 126 islands—Dahlak Kebir, Nora, and Dohul—permanently inhabited. The residents continue traditional practices like fishing and camel herding, while the surrounding waters have gained recognition for their biodiversity. Designated an Important Bird Area, the region supports significant populations of species like the sooty falcon and white-eyed gull. The coral reefs and shoals, once famous for their ancient pearl fisheries, now attract scuba divers and snorkelers, marking a shift from a site of confinement to a destination for ecological exploration.

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