The Commitment Established (1798–16 January 1963)

Abstract

Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798 prompted Britain’s first military involvement in South Arabia.¹ Because they feared the French would march through Egypt and Arabia and threaten India, the British sent troops to guard the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The troops initially occupied Perim Island in the Bab el Mandeb — the strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden — but a shortage of water forced them to leave the island. A British presence in the area was preserved, however, when the Sultan of Lahej in South Arabia welcomed the troops to Aden, where they established themselves in September 1799. But the French threat to India had receded, and the British force was recalled to India in early 1800.