Uqair

Uqair (Arabic:عقير) is an ancient fort of Islamic origin, located in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. It is alternatively spelled Al-'Uqair, Uqayr, and Ogair, all Latin transliterations of the same Arabic word. It has been linked by some to the ancient city of Gerrha mentioned in Greek and Roman sources. The site was also the location of the 1922 conference at which the Protocol of Uqair was issued, helping establish the borders of modern Saudi Arabia.

The fort sits about 50 miles northeast of the fertile oasis of Al-Hasa on the east coast of the Persian Gulf. At this ancient locale are the remains of a large fort that now marks the site of the same name. The current structure that exists is of unknown origin. It is not absolutely clear who built the fort that measures roughly 150 ft. (50 m.) on each side which consists of a stone rampart topped with mud brick. (The Persian Gulf in Antiquity, Vol. II, D.T. Potts, P. 56).

Location

Modern Uqair is 55 miles due south of Dhahran, a Saudi Aramco compound. It lies about 50 miles northeast of the fertile oasis of Al-Ahsa and its main city Hofuf on the eastern shore of the Persian Gulf, on a straight line between the oasis and the island state of Bahrain.The new Uqair- Al-Hasa road (35 miles) which was constructed recently and passes by Al-Jishah town will support the economic development of Al-Hasa oasis. Modern maps place Uqair at the harbor and shallow lagoon the fort was built next to.