History of Yemen in Timeline

Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a West Asian country located in southern Arabia. It shares borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman, and maritime borders with Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia. Encompassing about 455,503 square kilometres, it is the second largest country on the Arabian Peninsula with a coastline of approximately 2,000 kilometres. Sanaa serves as its constitutional capital and largest city. Yemen has an estimated population of 34.7 million, predominantly Arab Muslims. It is a member of various international organizations including the Arab League, the United Nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

1904: Rebellion Against the Turks

In 1904, Imam Yahya Hamidaddin led a rebellion against the Turks, disrupting the Ottoman ability to govern.

1911: Yahya Rules Independently

From 1911, Imam Yahya Hamidaddin al-Mutawakkil ruled the northern highlands independently, beginning a conquest of the Yemen lands.

1911: Treaty Signed with Imam Yahya

In 1911, the Ottomans signed a treaty with Imam Yahya Hamidaddin, recognizing him as an autonomous leader of the Zaydi northern highlands.

1918: Ottoman Departure

In 1918, the Ottomans departed from the Shafi'i areas in the mid-south.

1925: Yahya Captures al-Hudaydah

In 1925, Yahya captured al-Hudaydah from the Idrisids.

1926: Italy Recognizes Yahya

In 1926, the Italian Empire was the first to recognize Yahya as the king of Yemen.

1927: British Bombing Near Aden

In 1927, Yahya's forces approached Aden but were bombed by the British, leading to their retreat.

1932: Idrisis Seek Help from Yahya

In 1932, the Idrisis sought help from Yahya against Ibn Saud, who had begun liquidating their authority.

May 1934: Ceasefire Announced

In May 1934, following the Saudi-Yemeni war, Ibn Saud announced a ceasefire. Imam Yahya agreed to release Saudi hostages and ceded provinces for 20 years.

1943: Signs of Resistance to Occupation

In 1943, after the rise of labour unions, the first signs of resistance to the occupation started in Aden. Muhammad Ali Luqman founded the first Arabic club and school.

1950: Yemen's population was 4.3 million

In 1950, Yemen's population was 4.3 million.

1951: Yemen signatory to international accords governing the protection of refugees

Yemen is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula that is signatory to two international accords dating back to 1951 governing the protection of refugees.

1962: Imam Ahmad bin Yahya Dies

In 1962, Imam Ahmad bin Yahya died, and army officers attempted to seize power, sparking the North Yemen Civil War.

1962: Yemen officially abolished slavery

In 1962, Yemen officially abolished slavery, though it is still practiced.

1962: Yemen Arab Republic Established

In 1962, following a coup, the Kingdom of Yemen was replaced by the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen).

January 1964: Operation Nutcracker Launched

In January 1964, the British launched Operation Nutcracker, which completely burned Radfan.

November 1967: State of South Yemen Formed

On 30 November 1967, the state of South Yemen was formed, comprising Aden and the former Protectorate of South Arabia.

1967: People's Democratic Republic of Yemen Established

In 1967, the British Aden Protectorate became the independent People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen), marking the first and only officially socialist state in the Arab world.

1967: Yemen signatory to international accords governing the protection of refugees

Yemen is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula that is signatory to two international accords dating back to 1967 governing the protection of refugees.

1972: War Between Two States

In 1972, the two Yemeni states fought a war, which was resolved with a ceasefire and negotiations brokered by the Arab League.

1978: Saleh president of North Yemen

Ali Abdullah Saleh had been president of North Yemen since 1978.

1978: Ali Abdullah Saleh Named President

In 1978, Ali Abdullah Saleh was named as president of the Yemen Arab Republic.

1978: Sana'a's population was roughly 55,000

In 1978, Sana'a's population was roughly 55,000.

1979: Fresh Fighting Between the Two States

In 1979, fresh fighting between the two Yemeni states resumed and efforts were renewed to bring about unification.

1981: Prison Authority Organization Act

The Prison Authority Organization Act, Republican decree no. 48 (1981), and Prison Act regulations, provide the legal framework for management of the country's prison system.

1982: Shibam inscribed as World Heritage Site

In 1982, the Old Walled City of Shibam in Wadi Hadhramaut was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, two years after Yemen joined the World Heritage Committee.

1986: Old City of Sana'a inscribed as World Heritage Site

In 1986, the Old City of Sana'a, which has been inhabited for over two and a half millennia, was inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

1986: South Yemen Civil War

In 1986, thousands were killed in the South Yemen Civil War. President Ali Nasser Muhammad fled to the north.

May 1990: Countries Were Merged

In May 1990, the two governments reached a full agreement on the joint governing of Yemen, and the countries were merged on 22 May 1990, with Saleh as president.

1990: Census number of Soqotri speakers

According to the 1990 census, the number of Soqotri language speakers was 57,000.

1990: Yemen Opposes Military Intervention

After the invasion of Kuwait crisis in 1990, Yemen's president opposed military intervention from non-Arab states.

1990: Government reforms radio corporations

After unification in 1990, the government reformed its corporations and founded some additional radio stations that broadcast locally.

1990: Saleh president of unified Yemen

Ali Abdullah Saleh had been president of unified Yemen since 1990.

1990: Yemeni States Unite

In 1990, the two Yemeni states, North and South Yemen, united to form the modern Republic of Yemen, with Ali Abdullah Saleh serving as the first president.

1991: Yemen Abstains from UNSC Resolution

In 1991, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, Yemen abstained on a UNSC resolution concerning Iraq and Kuwait, leading to Saudi Arabia expelling 800,000 Yemenis.

1991: Constitution outlines election process

The 1991 constitution provides that the president be elected by popular vote from at least two candidates endorsed by at least 15 members of the Parliament. The prime minister, in turn, is appointed by the president and must be approved by two-thirds of the Parliament.

1991: Constitution establishes republic with bicameral legislature

Under the 1991 constitution, Yemen is a republic with a bicameral legislature, sharing power among an elected president, an elected Assembly of Representatives, and an appointed Shura Council.

1992: Food Riots Occur

Following food riots in major towns in 1992, a new coalition government was formed.

August 1993: Vice President Withdraws to Aden

In August 1993, Vice President al-Beidh withdrew to Aden, citing violence against his party and economic marginalization of the south.

1993: Zabid inscribed as World Heritage Site

In 1993, the historic town of Zabid, which was Yemen's capital from the 13th to the 15th century, was inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

1993: Parliamentary Election

In the 1993 parliamentary election, the first held after unification, the General People's Congress won 122 of 301 seats.

February 1994: Accord Signed in Amman

On 20 February 1994, an accord between northern and southern leaders was signed in Amman, Jordan, but it could not stop the civil war.

1994: Political Deadlock Continues

In 1994, Negotiations to end the political deadlock dragged on.

1994: Radio broadcasting setbacks due to civil war

Radio broadcasting faced setbacks after 1994, due to destroyed infrastructure resulting from the 1994 civil war.

1994: Progress in restoring relations with neighbors

Since the end of the 1994 civil war, tangible progress has been made on the diplomatic front in restoring normal relations with Yemen's neighbors.

1995: Increase in Doctors

According to the World Bank, between 1995 and 2000, the number of doctors rose by an average of more than 7 percent.

1995: Education spending

In 1995, Yemen's education spending was 5% of GDP.

1999: Saleh Elected President

In 1999, Ali Abdullah Saleh became Yemen's first directly elected president, winning 96% of the vote.

1999: Saleh becomes first elected president

President Ali Abdullah Saleh became the first elected president in reunified Yemen in 1999.

October 2000: USS Cole Attack

In October 2000, 17 U.S. personnel died after an al-Qaeda suicide attack on the U.S. naval vessel USS Cole in Aden.

2000: Increase in Doctors

According to the World Bank, between 1995 and 2000, the number of doctors rose by an average of more than 7 percent.

2000: Border treaty signed with Saudi Arabia

In the summer of 2000, Yemen and Saudi Arabia signed an International Border Treaty settling a 50-year-old dispute over the location of the border between the two countries.

2001: Yemen subdivided into villages

As of 2001, Yemen was subdivided into 38,284 villages.

2001: Violence Surrounds Referendum

In 2001, violence surrounded a referendum, which apparently supported extending Saleh's rule and powers.

2002: Healthcare expenditures

In 2002, total expenditures on health care constituted 3.7 percent of GDP.

April 2003: Parliamentary elections held

Parliamentary elections were held in April 2003, where the General People's Congress maintained an absolute majority.

2003: Hospital beds availability

In 2003, Yemen had only 0.6 hospital beds available per 1,000 persons.

2003: National Basic Education Development Strategy

In 2003, the government developed the National Basic Education Development Strategy that aimed at providing education to 95% of children between the ages of six and 14 years and also at decreasing the gap between males and females in urban and rural areas.

June 2004: Houthi Insurgency Begins

In June 2004, the Houthi insurgency in Yemen began when Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi launched an uprising against the Yemeni government.

2004: Doctor availability

As of 2004, there were still only three doctors per 10,000 persons in Yemen.

2005: Increased education spending

By 2005, Yemen had increased its education spending to 10% of GDP.

2005: Protests Over Fuel Prices

In 2005, at least 36 people were killed in clashes across the country between police and protesters over rising fuel prices.

September 2006: Saleh re-elected president

President Ali Abdullah Saleh was re-elected to office in September 2006, in an election that international observers deemed "partly free."

2006: Defense budget represents approximately 40 percent of the total government budget

In 2006, Yemen's defense budget represented approximately 40 percent of the total government budget.

2006: Saleh Wins Presidential Election

In the 2006 presidential election, Saleh won with 77% of the vote and was sworn in for another term on 27 September.

July 2007: Spanish Tourists Killed in Attack

In July 2007, a suicide bomber killed eight Spanish tourists and two Yemenis in the Marib Governorate.

September 2007: Government announces reinstatement of compulsory military service

In September 2007, the Yemeni government announced the reinstatement of compulsory military service.

2007: Yemen hosted a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 124,600

In 2007, Yemen hosted a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 124,600, predominantly from Somalia.

2007: Volcanic eruption on Jabal al-Tair Island

Jabal al-Tair Island, part of Yemen's Red Sea islands, experienced volcanic eruptions in 2007.

March 2008: World Bank approves gender equity project

In March 2008, the World Bank approved a seven-year project to improve gender equity and the quality and efficiency of secondary education, focusing on girls in rural areas.

September 2008: Bombings in Sana'a

In September 2008, car bombings outside the U.S. embassy in Sana'a killed 18 people, including six of the assailants.

2008: Rising food prices push additional population into poverty

In 2008, rising food prices pushed an additional six percent of the country into poverty, leading to food riots in poorer cities.

October 2009: First liquified natural gas plant begins production

Yemen's first liquified natural gas plant began production in October 2009.

2009: The Times writes "Yemen could become first nation to run out of water."

In 2009, The Times wrote "Yemen could become first nation to run out of water," highlighting the severe water scarcity.

2010: Adult literacy rate

In 2010, the adult literacy rate in Yemen was 64%.

2010: Yemen hosts Arabian Gulf Cup

Yemen's biggest sports event was hosting the 20th Arabian Gulf Cup in Aden and Abyan in 2010, where Yemen was defeated in all of its first three matches of the tournament.

March 2011: Police open fire on pro-democracy camp

In March 2011, police snipers opened fire on a pro-democracy camp in Sana'a, resulting in the deaths of more than 50 people.

October 2011: Tawakul Karman wins Nobel Peace Prize

In October 2011, Yemeni human rights activist Tawakul Karman was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the UN Security Council condemned the violence in Yemen and called for a transfer of power.

November 2011: Saleh signs Gulf Co-operation Council plan

On November 23, 2011, President Saleh flew to Riyadh to sign the Gulf Co-operation Council plan for political transition, agreeing to transfer presidential powers to his deputy, Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

2011: Mass protests against Saleh

In 2011, local frustration at Saleh's refusal to hold another round of elections, combined with the consequences of the 2011 Arab Spring, resulted in mass protests.

2011: Political Crisis Begins

Since 2011, Yemen has been enduring a political crisis marked by protests against poverty, unemployment, corruption, and President Saleh's plan to amend the constitution.

2011: Yemeni Revolution

The 2011 Yemeni revolution followed other Arab Spring mass protests in early 2011, primarily against unemployment, economic conditions, and corruption.

February 2012: Suicide attack on presidential palace

In February 2012, AQAP claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the presidential palace, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Republican Guards on the day President Hadi was sworn in.

February 2012: Hadi wins presidential election

In February 2012, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi took office for a two-year term after winning the uncontested presidential elections. Saleh also returned in February 2012 and was granted full immunity from prosecution by parliament.

September 2012: Car bomb attack in Sana'a

In September 2012, a car bomb attack in Sana'a resulted in the deaths of 11 people, one day after a local al-Qaeda leader Said al-Shihri was reported to have been killed in the south.

2012: Aden International Port ends agreement with Dubai Ports World

Aden International Port had ended its agreement to manage two container terminals with Dubai Ports World in 2012, due to economic decline and failure to fulfill commitments.

2012: Yemen has 401,000 active military personnel

By 2012, Yemen had an estimated 401,000 active military personnel.

2012: Increased U.S. military presence

By 2012, a small contingent of U.S. special-operations troops, in addition to CIA and unofficially acknowledged U.S. military presence was in Yemen in response to increasing terror attacks by AQAP. Following the election of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the Yemeni military was able to push Ansar al-Sharia back and recapture the Shabwah Governorate.

2012: Water table in Sana'a dropped to 1,200 metres below the surface

By 2012, the water table in Sana'a had dropped to 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) below the surface.

2012: Saleh Resigns

In 2012, President Ali Abdullah Saleh resigned in the wake of the Arab Spring.

2012: Yemen ranked last in Global Gender Gap Report

In 2012, Yemen was ranked last of 135 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report, highlighting significant gender inequality issues.

December 2013: Soqatra Governorate created

In December 2013, an additional governorate (Soqatra Governorate) was created comprising Socotra Island, previously part of Hadramaut Governorate.

2013: Yemen had a GDP (PPP) of US$61.63 billion

As of 2013 Yemen had a GDP (PPP) of US$61.63 billion, with an income per capita of $2,500.

2013: Government's budget

As of 2013, the government's budget consisted of $7.769 billion in revenues and $12.31 billion in expenditures.

2013: Yemen had an industrial production growth rate of 4.8%

In 2013, Yemen had an industrial production growth rate of 4.8%.

2013: Exports totaled $6.694 billion

In 2013, Yemen's exports totaled $6.694 billion, with crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish, and liquefied natural gas being the main commodities.

2013: Yemen classified as Tier 3 country in Trafficking in Persons report

In 2013, the United States Department of State classified Yemen as a Tier 3 country in the Trafficking in Persons report.

September 2014: Houthi insurgency intensifies

In September 2014, the Houthi insurgency intensified, with anti-government forces led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi sweeping into the capital and forcing Hadi to agree to a "unity" government.

2014: Civil war starts and GDP drops

After the start of the civil war in 2014, Yemen's GDP dropped rapidly by over 50%.

2014: Plans for parliamentary and presidential elections

In 2014, Al-Hadi was scheduled to oversee the drafting of a new constitution, followed by parliamentary and presidential elections.

2014: Constitutional panel decides to divide the country into six regions

In 2014, a constitutional panel decided to divide the country into six regions, creating a federalist model of governance, which contributed to the Houthi coup d'état.

January 2015: Government mass resignation

In January 2015, the Houthis pressured Hadi and his ministers, leading to the government's mass resignation after the president's residence was shelled and he was placed under house arrest.

February 2015: Houthis dissolve parliament

In February 2015, the Houthis dissolved parliament and declared that a Revolutionary Committee under Mohammed Ali al-Houthi was the interim authority in Yemen, a move widely rejected by opposition politicians and foreign governments.

February 2015: Hadi flees to Aden

On February 21, 2015, Hadi managed to flee from Sana'a to Aden, where he rescinded his resignation, condemned the coup, and called for recognition as the constitutional president of Yemen.

March 2015: Saudi Arabia announces Operation Decisive Storm

In March 2015, Hadi declared Aden Yemen's "temporary" capital. On March 26, 2015, Saudi Arabia announced Operation Decisive Storm and began airstrikes, leading a military coalition against the Houthis.

2015: Civil War Engulfs Yemen

By 2015, Yemen became engulfed by an ongoing civil war with multiple entities vying for governance, including the Presidential Leadership Council and the Houthi movement's Supreme Political Council.

2015: Yemeni civil war delayed infrastructure construction

Due to the 2015 Yemeni civil war, the infrastructure required to build better access to water has been delayed in construction.

2015: Saudi-led coalition intervenes in Yemen

In 2015, a Western-backed military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, including the United Arab Emirates, intervened in Yemen to reinstate the government ousted by the Houthi movement.

2015: Christians from Muslim background

In 2015, a study estimates 400 Christians from a Muslim background reside in Yemen.

March 2016: Missionaries of Charity attack in Aden

After Hadi troops took control of Aden from Houthis, jihadist groups became active in the city, and some terrorist incidents were linked to them such as Missionaries of Charity attack in Aden on 4 March 2016.

2016: Yemeni Jews brought to Israel

Around 2016, approximately 200 Yemeni Jews were brought to Israel by the Jewish Agency.

2016: Famine in Yemen

Yemen has been suffering from a famine since 2016 as a result of the civil war.

December 2017: Assassination of Ali Abdullah Saleh

On December 4, 2017, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, accused of treason, was assassinated by Houthis while attempting to flee clashes near Sana'a.

2017: UN Human Rights Council votes to investigate breaches of humanitarian law

In 2017, the UN Human Rights Council voted to create a team of experts to investigate suspected breaches of humanitarian law and human rights in Yemen.

2017: Starvation deaths among children

More than 50,000 children in Yemen died from starvation in 2017.

February 2018: Aden seized by Southern Transitional Council

In February 2018, Aden was seized by the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council.

2019: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2019, Yemen was ranked 129th in the Global Innovation Index.

2019: UN Reports Humanitarian Crisis

In 2019, the United Nations reported that Yemen had the highest number of people in need of humanitarian aid, amounting to about 24 million individuals.

March 2020: Trump administration cuts aid to Yemen

In March 2020, the Trump administration, along with allies such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, significantly cut funding for health care programs and other aid to Yemen through the United Nations appeal.

June 2020: Human rights group reveals scale of torture in Yemen's detention centers

In June 2020, a human rights group revealed the scale of torture and deaths in Yemen's unofficial detention centres, with UAE and Saudi forces implicated in severe abuse.

June 2020: Human Rights Watch open letter on children and armed conflict

On 22 June 2020, Human Rights Watch wrote an open letter to the UN Secretary-General on "Children and Armed Conflict" report to improve the protection of children in Yemen and in Myanmar.

September 2020: Human Rights Watch demands end to interference in aid operations

On 14 September 2020, Human Rights Watch demanded an end to the interference caused by Houthi rebels and other authorities in Yemen aid operations.

2020: UNFPA reports millions in need of gender-based violence services

According to 2020 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates, 6.1 million girls and women were in need of gender-based violence services.

2020: Jewish population estimate

According to a 2020 estimate, as few as 26 Jews remain in Yemen.

2020: Yemen Ranks High on Fragile States Index

As of 2020, Yemen ranked highest on the Fragile States Index and second-worst on the Global Hunger Index.

December 2021: The Guardian reveals Saudi Arabia pressure to end UN inquiry

In December 2021, The Guardian revealed that Saudi Arabia used "incentives and threats" as part of a pressure campaign to end a UN inquiry into human rights infringements in Yemen.

2021: Yemen's population is 33 million

By 2021 estimates, Yemen's population is 33 million, with 46% of the population being under 15 years old and 2.7% above 65 years.

2021: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2021, Yemen was ranked 131st in the Global Innovation Index.

2021: UN estimate of war deaths

The UN estimated that by the end of 2021, the war in Yemen would have caused over 377,000 deaths, with roughly 70% of deaths being children under age 5.

April 2022: Presidential Leadership Council takes power

In April 2022, after losing the support of the Saudi-led coalition, Yemen's President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi resigned, and the Presidential Leadership Council took power.

2022: Yemen ranked 176 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2022, Yemen was ranked 176 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating a high level of corruption.

2022: Religious Minorities

In 2022, it was estimated that only one Yemeni Jew remained according to a United Nations report about the treatment of religious minorities in conflict zones.

2023: Number of Yemeni films released

As of 2023, only eight Yemeni films have been released.

January 2024: US and allies launch military assault on Houthi targets

In January 2024, President Joe Biden announced that the United States, Britain, and allies including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands initiated a military assault on Houthi militant targets in Yemen.

June 2024: STC pressure to lease Aden International Port

In June 2024, the UAE-backed STC were putting pressure to lease the Aden International Port to Abu Dhabi Ports, a move opposed by the Parliament and the public.