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Pages from the history of Arabia
Felix-Yemen
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Location
The Republic of Yemen lies in the South of Arabia (The
Arabian Peninsula), south-west of Asia, between latitudes 12 and 18
degrees to the north of the equator and surrounded by water shelves,
bordered by Saudi Arabia on the north, the Indian Ocean on the
south, the Sultanate of Oman on the east and the Red Sea on the
west. Most of theYemen lands tend to be mountainous.
Area
The area of the Republic of Yemen is estimated to be a
million and half km² which is the previous total area of the two
parts of Yemen, (the Empty Quarter, Asir, Najran and jizan) which
has been successively taken by Saudi Arabia from the former Arab
Republic of Yemen in 1926,1933,1934. There was also an agreement,
which is related to this case, called Altaeef Agreement which was
signed after the war between the two countries. The Alsharawrah and
Alwuday’ah cities were related to People’s Democratic Republic of
Yemen but in the end of 1961, the first one has been given away by
Britain to Saudi Arabia during its occupation of the south from 1839
to 1967, to make a dispute between the government that is going to
leave behind after its evacuation and Saudi Arabia. The second city
has been occupied by Saudi Arabia after an unexpected terrestrial
and aerial attack in 1969. This attack was not organized by any
agreement. Finally, Aldaywamah Island was the last thing that had
been taken away by Saudi Arabia in 1998.
On the twelfth of June 2000 another agreement has been
signed in Jeddah between the two countries, which named Jeddah
Agreement)
Population
The population of the Republic of Yemen is about 20,000,000.
The minority of them are Jewish with darker tone skin ,because
they have mixed with orginal people from Somalia, Guinea and
India in the past. The unit of the Yemen society is the tripe.
Yemeni people are Moslems and are divided into Shiah whose people
follow Zaidee belief relating to Imam Zaid bin Ali bin Hussein bin
Ali bin Abee Taleb, and the Sunnites whose people follow the
Shafaiee belief relating to Imam Mohammed bin Edrees
Al-Shafaiee.
Economy
Yemen is an agricultural country. The most famous product is
coffee, which was exported through Macha port on the Red Sea. This
coffee used to be called Mocha Coffee.
Yemen Products: Cotton, Corn, Wheat, Barley, Fruits and
Vegetables.Yemen industry: textiles, leather, hey, jewelry, glass
and fishing. Natural resources: oil (It was discovered in 1984 in
the North by the American Company and in the South in 1986 by the
Russian Company), salt, coal, copper, iron, sulfur, lead, tin,
silver, gold and uranium (some are still undiscovered)
Districts and Main Cities
Sana’a is the political capital.
Aden is the commercial and economical capital.
Other cities: Taiz, Lahj, Marib, Shabwa, Al-Baidha, Abyan,
Al-Hodeidah, Hadramout, Ibb, Al-Jawf, Al-Mahara, Sa’ada, Al-Mahweet,
Hajjah, Dhamar, Amran, Aldhale.
The position that Yemen has occupied today has scened a
remarkable civilization lasted more than three thousand year. Yemen
was inhabited by two countries (Awsan and Qataban). Qataban lies to
east of Aden and west of Hadramout. Its capital was Tamno. It also
became a powerful country four hundred year BC. In the first century
BC, it reaches its glorious peak. Fifty years BC, it started to
produce gold as a currency. In the first century A .D . it was
gone.
Hadramout state:
First, it settled at the volley that is known with the same
name. Then it expanded toward Almahara coast. Thafar city was also
part of it.
Maeen state:
It settled in Al- Jawf area. Its capital was Kernao. It
lasted from 50 years B.C. to 115 years B .D.
Sheba state:
This state lasted from the 9th century B.C. to 115 years
B.C. it expanded to include most of the south of Arabian Peninsula.
Its first capital was Serwah. Since Mareb had the authority to give
orders 610 years B.C., it became the second capital. Sheba was
famous by its queen Belqees.
Hemyar state:
The first one was settled 115 years B.C., but the second was
settled 300 years A.D. Its capital was Thafar. Maeen and Sheba
countries, which were very powerful, have also joined to Hemyar
country. It has been completely gone with the falling of Mareb Dam
in the middle of the 6th century A.C.
Period of Once Yemeni Government
Although the 16th century A.C. carried some of Yemeni
characters in the Islamic middle ages, it differs from all the
others due to what happened in this century. It also affected the
latest centuries until now. At the beginning of this century, the
Portuguese found a direct seaway to India through Ras Al-Raja
Al-Saleh and started to alter the eastern commerce through this new
way. For this reason, the economic structure, which Yemen has known
since its beginning has cracked, which was relied on beside
prosperous agriculture to make Yemeni people work on world trade
between the east and the west. The disturbance of economic and
social structures and some new political situations with no doubt
were the reasons that made Yemen in the 16th century launch its
modern history. The old Greeks have also called it Arabia Felix.
Location of Yemen beside its prosperous nature and agriculture was
the main factor that affects the Yemen history through ages. The
prosperous nature of Yemen has been very important to its location
by making it a place for civilization. It was not only the location
but the Red Sea was the road that carried to the old world the first
principle of commercial and cultural connection between the three
old civilizations which were surrounding the Arabian Peninsula,
Pharaoh civilization, Assyrian and Babilian civilizations in Iraq
and Al-Sanad volley civilization in Pakistan. Since sea road was
very secure and less expensive, it became the best way for
traveling. As a result, the connection between Egypt and Babel used
to be across the sea through Yemeni merchants. The most ancient
thing that connects Egypt to Yemen was the expedition that King
Sahor sent to that country about 2550 B.C. The commercial and
civilized relations continued until the Romans occupied Egypt. After
that, they cared for transporting the Indian commerce directly from
Egypt without Yemeni merchants’ help. They also were tough
competitors. The terrestrial commerce was in the Romans’ hands.
Romans navigators was also afraid while crossing Bab Almandab narrow
gate on the Red Sea or while anchoring in some ports. Because of
that, Romans sent a powerful expedition from Egypt to Yemen in the
twenty-fourth years B.C. but it failed to accomplish its
mission.
Old Yemenis have realized the importance of prosperous
agriculture in building an agricultural economy in their country. As
a result, they built dams to benefit from rainwater. The famous dam
was called Mareb Dam. They also have dug many wells and canals and
were professionals in planting mountains. Its neighbors because of
its prosperous nature and agriculture envied Yemen, especially in
its weak period. That was presented when it was the prey of the
disputes between two big old countries (Bezantah empire and Persian
empire) in the east. This dispute has disappeared behind religious
mottos.
It seemed to be returning some of what Sheba had owned in
the late third century when Shamar Yahreish has ruled Sheba and Thea
Redan. He also extended his kingdom to the east and joined
Hadramout, Yamamah and Mecca. The news of the last three of Islam
were not certain but we may say that the most important event that
happened in that time was as followed:
The spread of Christianity in some parts of Yemen and
Najran, which was the most important center.
After Al-Hemeari (Abou Nawas) became Jewish, he persecuted
the Christian elements in Yemen, especially in the famous furrow
incident in 533 A.C. Bezantah Caesar pushed Alnajashi to send a
powerful expedition to Yemen to save Christians. Abrahah, who was
the leader of the expedition to Mecca, was able to defeat Abou Nawas
group and settled a Habashian country in Yemen, which lasted about
half a century.
Bezantian Persian struggle hasn’t stopped by Bezantah
victory so it extended Persia to Yemen and got rid of Bezantian
power that was represented in Alhabash rule. When one of Hemirian
princes has gone with Seif Bin Thee Yezen to destroy Alhabash rule
with the Persian king’s big army help, he defeated them. Then
Persians pulled back leaving Thee Yezen as a king in his country
accompanied by a Persian ruler. After a period of time, Islam spread
in Yemen to make a new history.
Independent Yemeni states
Ziadiah state (818-1019):
The founder of Ziadiah state was Mohammed Ziad, who was sent
by Al-Abasian caliph (Al-Mamoon) to destroy Al-Alaween’s revolution
in Tehamah, was able to expend his power to Jizan and capturing
Aden, Hadramout and Alsher in the east. He headed to mountains and
captured Sana’a, Sada and Najran. Its rulers were Persians. Its
center was Zabeed.
Al-Yafariya state (840-1003):
Yafer was the founder of this country, who was nominated by
caliph to be in charge of Sana’a before he founded it. The disputes
started between Yafer family members so this weakened the country to
be destroyed later.
Ziadian Emamate state (898-1962):
Hussein Al-Rasi from Ras near Madena Almonawara was the
founder. The country center was Sadah, in spite of, Hussein couldn’t
capture the whole country, and he made it popular in Yemen in
1962.
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Imam
(King) Yehya Bin Hameed Al-Deen 1918
-1948 |
Imam
(King) Ahmed Bin Yehya Hameed Al-Deen
1948-1962 |
Imam (King) Mohamed
(Al-Badr) Bin Ahmed Hameed Al-Deen
19-25/09/1962 |
Al-Najahiya state (1013-1150):
Najah, who was originally from Habash, founded it on the
ruins of Ziadian country. The rulers of the country were Al-Ahbash
as a result. Zabeed was its center, which was close to the beach of
the Red Sea across Habashian coasts.
Al-Soliehiya state (1045-1138):
It was founded by Ismail Mohammed Al-Soliehi, who was a
propagandist for Ismailian belief, was one of Emam Esmail Jafer
Al-Sadeq companions, who secretly contacted with Fatimian caliphs in
Egypt considering them Emams of Ismailian belief. The country center
was Jeblah. He was able to unite Yemen parts after destroying small
independent countries in Sana’a, Zabeed, Aljanad, Aden, Hathramot
and Jezan. This unification didn’t continue except for afew years.
After that, some countries have gained independence, which were
Zerea state in Aden, Al-Hatimiya state in Sana’a and Solimaniya in
Jizan. Ismail’s wife, “Queen Arwa AlSoliehi”, has succeeded him. The
Fatimian power remains until Ayobians have been destroyed. There is
still an Ismailian group in Yemen called Bamba related to Najranian
Bam tribes.
Ayobia state (1174-1229):
There is no doubt that extension of Fatimiya country to
Yemen via Alsoliehiya country was one of the factors that encouraged
Saleh Aldeen Alayobi who destroyed Fatimiya country in Egypt and
addressed Abasian caliph to send his troops there. When princes of
Al-Mekhlaph Alsolemani asked him for help in Jezan against who
didn’t submit to them, he sent his brother Noran Shah in 1173 with a
lot of skillful troops who destroyed independent countries and buit
Ayobia country whose sovereignty was for Kordians.
Al-Rasoliya state (1229-1454):
This country was founded on the ruins of Ayobia country by
Kordians and Mamaleek elements that Ayobians have brought to Yemen.
This country also played an important role in Yemen history. In its
powerful period, it succeeded to unite most of Yemeni regions under
its control. It also extended its power to eastern African coast and
Mecca in some places and commercially contacted with other countries
toward China in the east.
Al-Taheriya state (1454-1517):
Bano Taher was the founder, who was Rasolians from Aden and
Lahj. The kings of the country tried to unite Yemen under their
control but they couldn’t because of Ziadian Emans and some
Mamaleek. Hence Yemen remained split between them until the period
of Al-Sultan Amr Abdulwahab Altaheri who succeeded to unite most of
the country parts under his control. In his period of rule, Aden was
the most commercial country in the world but he was killed near
Sana’a that he tried to liberate from Mamaleek who settled in
Zabeed. Al-Sultan Al-Taheri was not satisfied by their existence, so
they brought him down. This causes a big commotion and disturbances
in Yemen for along time. Mamaleek or the member’s of Sultan Amer
were not able to control the situations in Yemen. This followed by a
long dispute between three powers, Ziadian leaded by Imam Sharaf
Aldeen and the rest of Altaherian families and Mamaleek. When
Authmanian came to Yemen in 1517, Ziadian power has extended to most
of Yemen. Representatives the Authmanian power on the coastal in the
Red Sea, as well as Altaherian power in Aden included Mamaleek’s
power.
Authmanian existence:
First existence in 1538
Second existence (1571-1635)
Third existence and the last (1872-1918)
Authmanians continued to control most of northern parts of
Yemen to be replaced by Imamate rule instead of them. In 1839,
Britain has occupied the southern part of Yemen.
On 26 of September 1962, the revolution has started in the
north finishing royal rule. As a result, 14 of October 1963
revolution has began against British occupation and against what was
called Arab Southern Emirates Unification which included Aden and
22 Sultanates,
Emirates and tribes. All of them were under British
protection until 30 of November 1967, the day that independence has
declared. It was expected that British departure would cause a whole
united Yemeni country but the National Front that was in charge has
declared its independence and starting a new Yemeni country that
took the name of People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen. Its capital
city was Aden. In the north, Arab Republic of Yemen has initiated by
making Sana’a its capital city. The authority has also moved in that
period from military leadership that was newly supported to tribal
leadership and different military forces with Egypt.  The southern leadership
has justified its refusal of the Yemen unification with the
reactionary flow frown it’s point of view which is an ideological
situation that find it’s base in adopting political systems in the
south, after ideological Leninian Marxism. While political system
was heading in the north toward more preservation and
traditionalism that causes increasing of political conflicts
between the two parts throughout 30 years ranges between internal
conflict and international partial conflict with the statement “ two
wars have broken out in 1972 and 1979), the rule sequenced by ten
presidents five in each part.
Unification Steps
(Indications and Results)
In October 1972, at the first meeting in Cairo between
Muhssein Al-Eni in the north and Ali Nasser Mohammed in the south,
followed by the first Summit meeting between the president of the
two parts, judge Abdulrahman Al- Eryani and Salem Rabaae in the
capital city of Libya “Trablos- Tripoli”, sponsored by Libyan
president, colonel Moammar Al Qadhafi, the constitution of the
united country of Yemen has been agreed on. After this date, several
meetings were held in Yemen as follows:
-Taiz, Al-Hodeidah in 10, 12/10/1973 by Al- Eryani and
Rabaae.
-Qatobah, a country located in Ibb region north, near the
southern borders or what used to be called Al-Atraf in 15/12/1977 by
Ibrahim Al-Hamdi and Salem Rabaae. It has been agreed on forming the
Yemeni Higher Council under their headship, Ministers of Foreign
Affairs membership, Ministers of Defense and Ministers of Economy
who should alternately meet every six-month in the capital cities of
the two parts.
-Sana’a in 15/8/1977 by Al-Hamdi and Rabaae
-Sana’a in 02, 04/10/1979 by Ali Abdulah Saleh and Ali
Nasser Mohammed, the prime minister on behalf of Abdulfatah Ismail
who never visited the north.
-Aden in 03/11/1981 and 02/12/1981 by Nasser and Saleh,
which was the first visit for a northern president to the south. Its
importance existed in activating the Yemeni Higher Council. Its
meetings were accurately arranged until the events of 13/01/1986 to
be stopped for a little while. After the success of Yemeni summit
meeting that was held in late 1986 in the capital city of Libya
between the president Ali Saleh and Haedar Al-Attas sponsored by
Al-Qathafi. The unionism journey has recovered and started its first
step again in the leadership in the north and the new leadership in
the south presented by Ali Salem Al-Beidh the general-secretary of
socialist’s party in several numbers of Yemeni regions from 1987 to
1990. In other Arab capital cities it was as followed:
-Algeria in 4/9/1973 by Al-Ereani and Rabaae sponsored by
the president Hawari boumedien
The prince of Kuwait Jaber Al-Sobah sponsored al-Kuwait in
28/3/1979 by Ismail and Saleh. Including so many meetings on the
national and Arabic list, the most important one was the meeting
that was held in Aden in 30 of November 1989 between Saleh and
Al-Beidh which the constitution of United Yemen plan has been
signed.
The reason that Yemeni leadership has chosen such a date
came as a compensation for what happened before 23 years ago. The
joy that Yemenis had due to the independence of the south, has been
gone because of the beginning of Sana’a blockade, which continued
for 70 days by besieging revolution to destroy the Republic system
in the north.
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Nasser -
Al-Eni
(Cairo 1972) |
The first Yemeni summit in Tripoli in 1972
/ Robaae - Qathafi - Eryani
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Al-Hamdi -Robaae
(Qatobah 1977)
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Al-
Beidh-Saleh |
The conciliation meeting in Amman in 94 from the
right: Al-Attas - Al-Beidh - King Hussein - Saleh -Al
-Ahmar
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