International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE) Vol. 14, No. 2, April 2024, pp. 1834~1841 ISSN: 2088-8708, DOI: 10.11591/ijece.v14i2.pp1834-1841  1834 Journal homepage: http://ijece.iaescore.com Segmentation techniques for Arabic handwritten: a review Ahmed Abdalla Sheikh 1 , Mohd Sanusi Azmi 1 , Waleed Abdel Karim Abuain 2 , Maslita Abd Aziz 1 1 Department of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia 2 Department of Computer Science, Applied College, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia Article Info ABSTRACT Article history: Received Sep 11, 2023 Revised Nov 7, 2023 Accepted Nov 29, 2023 Image segmentation refers to the process of partitioning a page into distinct sections. This technique aims to improve and transform the image's representation into a more coherent and user-friendly format. Its common application involves identifying objects and boundaries (such as lines and curves) within images. However, this paper focuses on discussing segmentation methods specifically tailored for Arabic handwritten content. Dealing with the segmentation of Arabic handwritten material poses a significant challenge due to the diverse handwriting styles and the interconnection between Arabic letters. The paper will also touch on the classification of segmentation algorithms originally designed for modern documents, illustrating their adaptation in document processing. Furthermore, the paper will address the difficulties associated with segmenting Arabic handwritten content, including variations in writing style, the connected nature of Arabic characters, the complexity of Arabic cursive writing and as well as the diacritics challenges. Lastly, a concise overview of previously widely used segmentation techniques in various research endeavors will be provided. Keywords: Arabic handwritten Handwritten segmentation Image segmentation Segmentation methods Segmentation techniques This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. Corresponding Author: Ahmed Abdalla Sheikh Department of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Unvirsiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Jalan Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia Email: ashiekh295@gmail.com 1. INTRODUCTION Image segmentation is a process where features with similar attributes are identified and grouped together. This procedure can involve statistical clustering, thresholding, edge detection, region identification, or a combination of these methods. Segmentation is typically a fundamental step in image analysis, marking the transition from treating individual pixels as the units of perception to dealing with coherent objects within the image that consist of multiple pixels. Furthermore, the segmentation phase holds significance because it impacts the accuracy of recognition and the origin of errors in recognition [1]. When segmentation is executed effectively, all subsequent stages of image analysis become more straightforward and uncomplicated. Image segmentation serves as a crucial and complex operation in image processing. The techniques employed in image segmentation aim to partition an image into coherent portions that exhibit similar characteristics, as shown in Figure 1. The objective of segmentation is to streamline the representation of an image into a meaningful and analyzable format. In the field of image analysis, segmentation is the initial step [2]. It encompasses the division of an image into contiguous and meaningful segments or regions. Segmentation stands as a pivotal first phase for a variety of image analysis methodologies. The outcome of image segmentation in terms of its