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Yemen

Filed with Countries · Related: 60.23 History · 60.3.1 - Foreign Policy

History of Yemen

Ancient History

Yemen’s history stretches back over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East. The region was home to several powerful and wealthy city-states and empires, such as the Minaean, Sabaean (biblical Sheba), and Himyarite kingdoms. These civilizations thrived on the lucrative trade of frankincense, myrrh, spices, and other luxury commodities from southern Asia and eastern Africa[1][5][6].

Pre-Islamic Period

From around 1200 BCE to 525 CE, Yemen was dominated by these trading kingdoms. The Romans expanded their influence into the Red Sea in the 1st century CE, leading to Yemen’s economic decline as they could not compete with the Roman Empire. The rupture of the Great Dam at Ma’rib in the 6th century CE symbolized the end of this prosperous era[1].

Islamic Period

Islam spread quickly in Yemen in the 7th century, with the Prophet Muhammad sending his son-in-law as governor. Yemen became part of the wider Muslim realm, and the Zaydī sect of Shi’a Islam was introduced in the 9th century, significantly influencing Yemeni culture and civilization for the next millennium[1][4].

Medieval and Early Modern Periods

Yemen saw a series of dynastic and imperial rulers, including the Ṣulayḥids, Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Rasulids. The Ottomans incorporated parts of Yemen into their empire in the 16th century but were expelled in the 1600s. The British captured Aden in 1839, making it a significant refueling stop after the opening of the Suez Canal[2][6].

20th Century

North Yemen gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1918, while South Yemen remained under British control until 1967. The two regions experienced different colonial influences, with North Yemen becoming the Yemen Arab Republic in 1962 and South Yemen becoming the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1967[2][9].

Unification and Civil War

In 1990, North and South Yemen unified to form the Republic of Yemen. However, tensions persisted, leading to a brief civil war in 1994. The country has since faced significant political instability, including the rise of the Houthi movement and the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in 2015[2][7][14].

The War in Yemen, MAPPED - YouTube

  • 1990s
  • Believing Youth
    • Shitte Muslims
    • Northern Yemen
  • Hussein Al Houthi resigns from Government and joins the Believing Youth
    • Thought Gov of Yemen corrupted by Saudi Arabia
    • Becomes leader
    • Wants revolution like Iran
  • Believing Youth turns into a militia
  • Yemen President Saleh helps U.S. after 9/11
    • for Al-Houthi, this crosses a line
    • “American Imperialism in Muslim lands”
    • Misc/Documents/Yemen-20240630212352801.webp
    • President arrest warrant for Al-Houthi
    • Killed in Cave in the North
  • Now called, Houthi Rebels
  • Military brutal and turn villagers towards Houthi Rebels
  • Houthi invades into Saudi Arabia, killing soldiers and taking hostages
  • Saudi Arabia joins the conflict
  • Iran support Houthi’s; support amount unclear
  • Al-Qaeda from Saudi Arabia flee to Yemen and create AQAP
  • AQAP against Houthi’s and Gov of Yemen
  • Arab Spring
    • President Saleh steps down; takes billions of dollars
    • Saudi backed President Hadi
    • Houthi stronger and taking more territory
      • Going into Southern Yemen
  • President Saleh joins forces with Houthis
  • President Hadi flee South and eventually Saudi Arabia
  • 2015: Houthis control capital city and military weapons and in power
  • Houthis
    • Silences free speech
    • Child soldiers
    • No human rights
  • Saudi Arabia invades Yemen
    • Obama approves billions for Saudi Arabia
    • 2015-2019: Saudi Arabia largest weapons importer from US
  • ISIS come to Yemen and fight Houthis and AQAP
  • May 2015: Houthis invade Saudi Arabia and take hostages
  • Saudi Arabia coalition ground troops invade South of Yemen
  • Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
  • UN fails to get ceasefire
  • 2 million Yemeni’s displaced
  • Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia directly with missiles
  • President Saleh breaks with Houthis and changes sides again
    • Killed two days later
  • Trump drones strikes help weaken AQAP and ISIS
  • UAE leave coalition
  • South Transition Council
    • Separate from Gov and Houthis in South
    • Taking control of Southern Provinces
  • Yemen fracturing
  • Misc/Documents/Yemen-20240630213807163.webp
  • UAE rejoins Saudi coalition
  • 2021: Houthis are battle harden, 70-80% control of Yemeni civilians
  • 20 million dependent on UN Aid
  • Stalemate
  • UN Ceasefire
  • Saudi and Iran diplomatic talks, sponsored by China
  • President Hadi resigns
  • Everyone tired of fighting
  • 2023: Saudi and Iran restored diplomatic relations
  • Saudi keeps Maritime blockade

Maps for religious geography and imperial borders

These are Izady’s geographic reconstructions and estimates, not a uniform census series or maps of political allegiance. Dates and classifications belong to each image; religious affiliation does not establish support for a government or armed group.

Yemen’s ethno-religious geography

Misc/Documents/Gulf2000/Gulf2000-Yemen_Ethno_Religious_lg.png

Locate Zaydi and Sunni settlement patterns beside the discussion of the Houthis. Religious identity and Houthi membership are not interchangeable; this is not a current frontline map.

Map source: Dr. Michael Izady, Gulf/2000, Columbia University. Original map · Collection. Personal reference use; copyright remains with the author.

Ottoman and British settings around 1900

Misc/Documents/Gulf2000/Gulf2000-Arabia_Political_1900_lg.png

A wider Arabian view of Ottoman rule, local polities, Aden, and British southern possessions in 1900. Its Egypt label simplifies British occupation as a protectorate; formal protectorate status began in 1914.

Map source: Dr. Michael Izady, Gulf/2000, Columbia University. Original map · Collection. Personal reference use; copyright remains with the author.

Source and interpretation: Gulf2000 map collection.

Timeline of Yemeni History

Ancient and Pre-Islamic Periods

  • 2300 BCE: Arabs of the south unite under Qahtan[3].
  • 1200 BCE - 525 CE: Dominance of Minaean, Sabaean, and Himyarite kingdoms[1][5].
  • 1st Century CE: Roman expansion into the Red Sea[1].
  • 6th Century CE: Rupture of the Great Dam at Ma’rib[1].

Islamic Period

  • 630 CE: Islam spreads in Yemen; Prophet Muhammad sends his son-in-law as governor[1][4].
  • 9th Century: Introduction of the Zaydī sect of Shi’a Islam[1].

Medieval and Early Modern Periods

  • 1500s: Ottomans incorporate parts of Yemen into their empire[2].
  • 1839: British capture Aden[2][6].
  • 1918: North Yemen gains independence from the Ottoman Empire[2][9].

20th Century

  • 1962: Yemen Arab Republic established in North Yemen[2][9].
  • 1967: People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen established in South Yemen[2][9].
  • 1990: Unification of North and South Yemen to form the Republic of Yemen[2][7].

Recent History

  • 1994: Civil war between northern and southern forces; northern forces prevail[2][7].
  • 2000: Al-Qaeda attacks USS Cole in Aden[2].
  • 2011: Arab Spring protests lead to the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh[2][7].
  • 2014: Houthi rebels seize the capital, Sanaa[10][12].
  • 2015: Saudi-led coalition intervenes in Yemen[2][7][14].
  • 2022: UN-mediated ceasefire raises hopes for peace, but fails to be renewed after six months[14][15].
  • 2023: Saudi and Omani envoys visit Sanaa to negotiate a permanent ceasefire[12][15].

This timeline and historical overview provide a comprehensive look at Yemen’s rich and complex history, from ancient civilizations to modern-day conflicts.

Citations:
[1] https://www.britannica.com/place/Yemen/History
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14704951
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Yemeni_history
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Yemen
[5] https://www.yca-sandwell.org.uk/history-of-yemen/
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen
[7] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14704852
[8] https://unfoundation.org/what-we-do/issues/peace-human-rights-and-humanitarian-response/yemen-a-brief-background/
[9] https://history.state.gov/countries/yemen
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Yemeni_civil_war_%282014%E2%80%93present%29
[11] https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/a-timeline-of-the-yemen-crisis-from-the-1990s-to-the-present/
[12] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/11/a-timeline-of-yemens-slide-into-conflict-and-war
[13] https://www.britannica.com/place/Yemen
[14] https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/yemen-crisis
[15] https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/war-yemen