Abu Arish (region)

The region of Abu Arish was ruled by independent local sheikhs since the 13th century; these shaykhs bore the title of Sharif (noble from the Prophet's family); it passed to the sovereignty of the Zaydite imams in 1627. Around 1750 the local shaykhs (Sharif) regained their independence, and submitted to the Wahhabis in 1802-1803 and later to the Egyptians. When they left the country (1840) the ruling Sharif Husayn, of the Khayratida family, regained his independence, seized part of the Tihama and even threatened Aden, but the Khayratida Hasan ben Muhammad lost power to the Banu Mughayd of Asir (1863). and then the territory passed to the Ottomans (1872). Occupied by the Idrisids of Asir, it finally passed to the Saudis.

Flag of Abu Arish

The flag of the local Sharifian dynasty (a branch of the Khayratids) was the traditional red.