This is a seaport and fishing centre in the southern part of the Hadhramawt province, and was founded in 1035A.D. as a fishing village.
The beautiful white buildings in the old town are of interest to visitors and there are several impressive mosques, notably ar-Rawdha and the Mosque of 'Umar.
Outside the town a small fortress, Husn al-Ghuwayzi, can be seen on the summit of a cliff.