The College of Basic Education at the University of Mosul discussed a Master’s thesis in Modern History titled “Developments in International Politics in the Red Sea 1840–1869” on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the “Umm Al-Rabi’ain” Hall in the college.

The thesis, submitted by student Hijran Yasin Ali (Department of History / Specialization in Modern History), addressed the geographical and strategic importance of the Red Sea, providing a historical background of the political developments in the region up to 1840 as a foundation for understanding subsequent transformations. It then examined international political developments in the Red Sea from 1840 to 1849, focusing on the impact of the Treaty of London (1840–1841), the beginnings of European interest and rivalry, and the Ottoman Empire’s attempts to restore its influence in the Red Sea regions, particularly through its 1849 campaign in Yemen. Furthermore, the study traced the growing international importance of the Red Sea and its connection to international communication networks between 1850 and 1858, alongside how internal conditions in the region reflected on international rivalry. It also investigated developments between 1859 and 1869, placing emphasis on the Suez Canal excavation project and its opening, as well as political developments in Hijaz, ‘Asir, Yemen, Abyssinia, and Sudan, and how these variables contributed to enhancing the Red Sea’s strategic significance and escalating international competition.

The defense committee was chaired by Prof. Dr. Imad Abdul-Aziz Yousif, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Afrah Nathir Hamdoon and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saddam Yousif Abid as members, and supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hind Fakhri Saeed.