Yemen

Overview

The capital Sanaa with its UNESCO World Heritage old city, a number of parks and an Arabian feel despite increasing modernisation. An especially ancient historical site is that of the Great Marib Dam. The remains of the Sabaean constructed irrigation device from over 2500 years ago remind the visitor of the depth of history of the region. The Red and Arabian seas can be used for a variety of water sports and the athletic can venture into the Haraz Mountains for some trekking.

History

Yemen was one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East. Between the 12th century BC and the 6th century AD it was part of the Minaean Sabaean and Himyarite kingdoms which controlled the lucrative spice trade and later came under Ethiopian and Persian rule. In the 7th century Islamic caliphs began to exert control over the area. After this caliphate broke up the former north Yemen came under control of Imams of various dynasties usually of the Zaidi sect who established a theocratic political structure that survived until modern times. (Imam is a religious term. The Shiites apply it to the prophet Muhammad's son-in-law Ali his sons Hasan and Hussein and subsequent lineal descendants whom they consider to have been divinely ordained unclassified successors of the prophet.)

Egyptian Sunni caliphs occupied much of north Yemen throughout the 11th century. By the 16th century and again in the 19th century north Yemen was part of the Ottoman empire and in some periods its Imams exerted suzerainty over south Yemen.

Former North Yemen

Ottoman government control was largely confined to cities with the Imam's suzerainty over tribal areas formally recognized. Turkish forces withdrew in 1918 and Imam Yahya strengthened his control over north Yemen. Yemen became a member of the Arab league in 1945 and the United Nations in 1947.

Imam Yahya died during an unsuccessful coup attempt in 1948 and was succeeded by his son Ahmad who ruled until his death in September 1962. Imam Ahmad's reign was marked by growing repression...more