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. Covering approximately 455,503 square kilometers, it's the second largest country on the Arabian Peninsula. Sanaa is its capital and largest city. Yemen's population is estimated at 34.7 million, primarily Arab Muslims. It is a member of various international organizations like the Arab League and the United Nations.

1904: Rebellion against the Turks

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

1911: Independent Rule

From 1911, Imam Yahya hamid ed-Din al-Mutawakkil ruled the northern highlands independently and started expanding his control over the Yemen lands.

1911: Treaty Signed

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, marking the end of their rule in Shafi'i areas in the mid-south.

1925: Capture of al-Hudaydah

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

1926: Italian Recognition

In 1926, the Italian Empire recognized Yahya as the king of Yemen, creating anxiety for the British.

1927: British Bombing

In 1927, Yahya's forces approached Aden, Taiz, and Ibb, leading to British bombing raids that forced them to retreat.

1932: Idrisis Seek Help

In 1932, the Idrisis sought Yahya's help against Ibn Saud, who aimed to annex their territories into his Saudi domain.

May 1934: Ceasefire Announced

In May 1934, after the Saudi-Yemeni war, Ibn Saud announced a ceasefire, leading to Imam Yahya ceding territories and signing treaties with both Saudi Arabia and the British government.

1943: Resistance to Occupation

In 1943, the first signs of resistance to the occupation started in Aden, and Muhammad Ali Luqman founded the first Arabic club and school to work towards a union.

1950: Yemen's population

In 1950, Yemen's population was 4.3 million.

1951: Signatory to international accords

Yemen is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula that is signatory to two international accords dating back to 1951 and 1967 governing the protection of refugees.

1962: Army Officers Attempted to Seize Power

In 1962, after Imam Ahmad bin Yahya died, army officers attempted to seize power, sparking the North Yemen Civil War. The Hamidaddin royalists received support from Saudi Arabia, Britain, and Jordan, while the military rebels were backed by Egypt and, covertly, Israel.

1962: Yemen Arab Republic Established

In 1962, the Kingdom of Yemen transformed into the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) after a coup.

1962: Abolition of slavery

Yemen officially abolished slavery in Yemen in 1962, but it is still being practiced.

January 1964: Operation Nutcracker

In January 1964, the British launched Operation Nutcracker, burning Radfan completely in response to support for the National Liberation Front (NLF).

November 1967: South Yemen Formed

In November 1967, the state of South Yemen was formed, comprising Aden and the former Protectorate of South Arabia. The socialist state became the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and began a nationalization program.

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: Signatory to international accords

Yemen is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula that is signatory to two international accords dating back to 1951 and 1967 governing the protection of refugees.

1972: War Between Two States

In 1972, a war between North and South Yemen was resolved with a ceasefire and negotiations brokered by the Arab League, with a declaration that unification would eventually occur.

1978: Saleh becomes president of North Yemen

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

1978: Saleh Named President

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

1978: Sana'a's population increase

Sana'a's population has increased rapidly, from roughly 55,000 in 1978 to nearly 1 million in the early 21st century.

1979: Renewed Fighting

In 1979, fresh fighting between North and South Yemen resumed, leading to renewed efforts to bring about unification.

1981: Prison Authority Organization Act

In 1981, the Prison Authority Organization Act, Republican decree no. 48, was established, providing a legal framework for the management of Yemen's prison system.

1982: Old Walled City of Shibam inscribed by UNESCO

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

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

In 1986, the Old City of Sana'a, inhabited for over two millennia, was inscribed as a World Heritage site.

1986: South Yemen Civil War

In 1986, thousands were killed in the South Yemen Civil War, resulting in President Ali Nasser Muhammad fleeing to the north and being sentenced to death for treason, followed by the formation of a new government.

May 1990: Countries Merged

In May 1990, North and South Yemen were merged, with Saleh as president and Ali Salim al-Beidh as vice president, forming a unified parliament and constitution.

1990: Soqotri language

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

1990: Saleh becomes president of unified Yemen

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

1990: Government reforms after unification

Following Yemen's unification in 1990, the government reformed its corporations and founded additional local radio stations.

1990: Yemeni States Unite

In 1990, North and South Yemen united to form the modern Republic of Yemen.

1990: Opposition to Military Intervention

In 1990, Yemen's president opposed military intervention from non-Arab states following the invasion of Kuwait.

1990: Unification of Yemen

Since its unification in 1990, Yemen has been one of the poorest countries in the Middle East.

1991: Expulsion of Yemenis

In 1991, Saudi Arabia expelled 800,000 Yemenis as a response to Yemen's opposition to the intervention in Kuwait.

1991: Constitution outlines election process

The 1991 constitution specifies that the president is elected by popular vote and the prime minister is appointed by the president with parliamentary approval. Only Muslims may hold elected office.

1991: Constitution defines government structure

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

1992: Food Riots

Following food riots in major towns in 1992, a new coalition government was formed in 1993.

August 1993: Vice President Withdrawal

In August 1993, Vice President al-Beidh withdrew to Aden due to northern violence and economic marginalization.

1993: Parliamentary Election

In 1993, the first parliamentary election after unification resulted in the General People's Congress winning 122 of 301 seats.

1993: Historic Town of Zabid inscribed

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

February 1994: Accord Signed

In February 1994, an accord between northern and southern leaders was signed in Amman, Jordan, but it couldn't stop the civil war.

1994: Radio infrastructure destroyed

After 1994, due to destroyed infrastructure resulting from the 1994 civil war, the government drew back from its support of local radio stations.

1994: Political Infighting

In 1994, negotiations to end the political deadlock continued, and the government became ineffective due to political infighting.

1994: Progress restoring relations with neighbors

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

1995: Rise in number of 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 at 5% of GDP.

1999: Presidential Election

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

1999: Saleh becomes first elected president of reunified Yemen

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

October 2000: Attack on USS Cole

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

2000: Rise in number of doctors

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

2000: Yemen and Saudi Arabia sign border treaty

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

2001: Subdivisions of governorates

As of 2001, the governorates were subdivided into 333 districts, which are subdivided into 2,210 sub-districts, and then into 38,284 villages.

2001: Referendum Violence

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

2002: Health Care Expenditures

In 2002, total expenditures on health care in Yemen constituted 3.7 percent of GDP, and the per capita expenditure for health care was US$58 according to United Nations statistics and US$23 according to the World Health Organization.

April 2003: Parliamentary elections

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

2003: Hospital Beds

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 aimed at providing education and decreasing the gap between males and females in urban and rural areas.

June 2004: Houthi Insurgency Began

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: Clashes Over Fuel Prices

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

September 2006: Saleh re-elected president

President Ali Abdullah Saleh was re-elected to office in September 2006 in an election deemed "partly free" by international observers, amid violence and fraud allegations.

2006: Saleh Wins Election

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

2006: Defense budget

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

July 2007: Attack in Marib Governorate

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

September 2007: Reinstatement of compulsory military service

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

2007: Refugee population in Yemen

In 2007, Yemen hosted approximately 124,600 refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly from Somalia, Iraq, Ethiopia, and Syria.

2007: Jabal al-Tair Island volcanic eruption

Jabal al-Tair Island experienced volcanic eruptions in 2007.

March 2008: World Bank Project Approved

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: Car Bombings

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 and poverty

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

October 2009: First liquified natural gas plant production

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

2009: Water scarcity warning

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

2010: Adult Literacy Rate

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

2010: Yemen hosts Arabian Gulf Cup

Yemen hosted the 20th Arabian Gulf Cup in Aden and Abyan in 2010, although they were defeated in all three matches.

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 more than 50 deaths.

October 2011: Tawakul Karman wins Nobel Peace Prize

In October 2011, Yemeni human rights activist Tawakul Karman won the Nobel Peace Prize. The UN Security Council also 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 the presidency to his deputy, Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

2011: Mass protests against Saleh

In 2011, mass protests erupted against President Saleh due to his refusal to hold another round of elections, influenced by the Arab Spring.

2011: Political Crisis

Since 2011, Yemen has faced a political crisis with protests against poverty, unemployment, corruption, and President Saleh's plans to eliminate presidential term limits.

2011: Yemeni Revolution

The 2011 Yemeni revolution followed other Arab Spring mass protests in early 2011, driven by unemployment, economic conditions, corruption, and opposition to the government's plans to modify the constitution.

February 2012: AQAP claims responsibility for presidential palace attack

In February 2012, AQAP claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the presidential palace that resulted in the death of 26 Republican Guards.

February 2012: Hadi takes office after uncontested elections

In February 2012, Hadi took office for a two-year term after winning the uncontested presidential elections and a unity government was formed.

September 2012: Car bomb attack in Sana'a

In September 2012, a car bomb attack in Sana'a led to the death of 11 people, occurring a day after a local al-Qaeda leader was reported killed.

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: Active military personnel count

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

2012: Groundwater depletion in Sana'a

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

2012: Increased US military presence

By 2012, there was a "small contingent of U.S. special-operations troops" and CIA in Yemen in response to escalating terrorist attacks by AQAP. The Yemeni military recaptured the Shabwah Governorate.

2012: President Saleh Resigns

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

2012: Saleh forced to resign

In 2012, Saleh was forced to resign from power but remained influential in Yemeni politics, later allying with the Houthis.

2012: Global Gender Gap Report Ranking

In 2012, Yemen was ranked last out of 135 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report, highlighting discrimination and violence against women and the abolition of the minimum marriage age.

December 2013: Creation of Soqatra Governorate

In December 2013, Soqatra Governorate was created, comprising Socotra Island.

2013: GDP and economic sectors

As of 2013 Yemen had a GDP (PPP) of US$61.63 billion, with an income per capita of $2,500. Services are the largest economic sector (61.4% of GDP), followed by the industrial sector (30.9%), and agriculture (7.7%).

2013: Government budget and debt

As of 2013, the government's budget consisted of $7.769 billion in revenues and $12.31 billion in expenditures, with a public debt of 47.1% of GDP.

2013: Industrial production growth rate

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

2013: Exports and Imports

In 2013, Yemen's exports totaled $6.694 billion, mainly crude oil, coffee, and fish. Imports totaled $10.97 billion, mainly machinery, equipment, and foodstuffs.

2013: Trafficking in Persons report classification

In 2013, the United States Department of State classified Yemen as a Tier 3 country in its Trafficking in Persons report, indicating that the government does not fully comply with minimum standards.

September 2014: Houthis sweep into Sana'a

In September 2014, the Houthi insurgency intensified as anti-government forces led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi swept into the capital Sana'a, forcing Hadi to agree to a "unity" government.

2014: GDP drop after civil war

After the start of the civil war in 2014, Yemen's GDP dropped rapidly by over 50%, due to the blockade led by Saudi Arabia.

2014: Scheduled elections and constitution drafting

In 2014, Al-Hadi was expected 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 Yemen 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, following pressure from the Houthis, including shelling the president's residence, the Yemeni government underwent a mass resignation.

February 2015: Houthis dissolve parliament

In February 2015, the Houthis dissolved parliament and declared a Revolutionary Committee under Mohammed Ali al-Houthi as the interim authority in Yemen, a move widely rejected.

February 2015: Hadi flees to Aden

On February 21, 2015, Hadi fled from Sana'a to Aden and rescinded his resignation in a televised speech, condemning the Houthi coup.

March 2015: Saudi Arabia announces Operation Decisive Storm

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

2015: Civil War

By 2015, Yemen was engulfed in a civil war involving multiple entities vying for governance, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis.

2015: Yemeni civil war delays water infrastructure

Due to the 2015 Yemeni civil war, the infrastructure required to build better access to water has been delayed in construction. It is estimated that as many as 80% of the population struggles to access water to drink and bathe.

2015: Saudi-led coalition intervenes in Yemen

In 2015, a Western-backed military coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen to restore the ousted government, escalating the humanitarian crisis.

2015: Christians from a Muslim background

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

March 2016: Missionaries of Charity attack in Aden

In March 4, 2016, following Hadi troops taking 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.

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 was assassinated by Houthis while attempting to flee clashes near Sana'a.

2017: Starvation deaths of children

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

2017: UN Human Rights Council votes to create a team of experts

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.

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: Humanitarian Aid Needed

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

March 2020: Funding cuts to UN appeal for Yemen

In March 2020, the Trump administration and U.S. allies cut off tens of millions of dollars for healthcare programs and aid to the UN appeal for Yemen, forcing UN agencies to close or reduce over 75% of their programs.

June 2020: Scale of torture and deaths in detention centres revealed

In June 2020, a human rights group revealed the scale of torture and deaths in Yemen's unofficial detention centers, with UAE and Saudi forces responsible for some of the most shocking treatment of prisoners.

June 2020: Open letter to the UN Secretary-General

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 an 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, as millions of lives dependent on the aid operations were being put at risk.

2020: UNFPA estimates of gender-based violence

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 in Yemen

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

2020: Fragile State Index

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

December 2021: Pressure campaign 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 estimate

By 2021 estimates, Yemen's population is 33 million, with a large proportion under 15 years old.

2021: Global Innovation Index Ranking

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

2021: War deaths estimate

The UN estimated that by the end of 2021, the war in Yemen would have caused over 377,000 deaths, and roughly 70% of deaths were 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: Corruption Perceptions Index ranking

In 2022, Yemen ranked 176 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index.

2022: Religious Minorities

In 2022, a United Nations report estimated that only one Yemeni Jew remained in Yemen; however, there were reportedly a handful of "hidden Jews" who have converted to Islam but secretly continue to practice Judaism.

2023: Eight Yemeni films released as of 2023

As of 2023, only eight Yemeni films have been released, showing that the Yemeni film industry is still in its early stages.

2023: Houthi attacks during Israel-Hamas war

Following the outbreak of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the Houthis began to fire missiles at Israel and attack ships off Yemen's coast in the Red Sea.

January 2024: US and allies launch military assault

In January 2024, President Joe Biden announced that the United States, Britain, and allies launched a military assault on Houthi militant targets in Yemen.

June 2024: Pressure to lease Aden Port to Abu Dhabi Ports

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.