Saudi–Yemeni war (1934)
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|
Saudi–Yemeni war | |
---|---|
Part of the Kingdom of Yemen | |
Result |
Saudi victory[2]
|
Territorial changes |
Yemen |
Supported by:
Italy[1]
- Abdulaziz bin Saud
- Saud bin Abdul Aziz
- Faisal bin Abdulaziz
The Saudi–Yemeni war (
Background
By 1932, Ibn Saud controlled almost all of Arabia, except for Yemen, and the smaller coastal states which were then British protectorates (Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Aden, etc.). Between Hejaz and Yemen were several tribal regions over which the Ottomans had previously held weak suzerainty, and which both Ibn Saud and the Imam of Yemen now aspired to control.
Dispute over Asir
In 1923, Emir Idrissi, the ruler of the
In 1926, the Emir of Asir assented to Saudi suzerainty, and in 1930 it was incorporated into the Nejd and Hejaz Kingdom. The new Saudi kingdom started growing at the cost of Idrissi-controlled areas, as Asir and Jizan were both part of the Idrisid Asir emirate during the 1920s.
A treaty was made in 1931 but soon broken. In November 1933, the Yemenis declared war and advanced on Najran.[10]
A peace delegation, which included ibn Saud's son, was jailed by King Yahya. Ibn Saud's efforts reportedly prompted Imam Yahya to say of him: "Who is this Bedouin coming to challenge my family's 900 year rule?"[11]
Treaty of Sana'a
In February 1934, at the start of the war, the Yemen Government and the British representative in Aden made a "treaty of friendship", which resolved some of the disputes between Yemen and Britain over Aden and the border between Yemen and the Aden Protectorate, and under which the British guaranteed the independence of Yemen for forty years. The Imam agreed to stop attacking Aden.[12] At this point in time, the British had a "treaty of friendship" with both the Saudi and Yemeni sides in the war.[13]
Saudi–Yemeni war
In March 1934, King Ibn Saud ordered the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (later
In May 1934, the Saudi forces pressed forward their attack in the coastal region, occupying
According to western newspaper reports: "Tehama is part of the principality of
Tihamah refers to the very hot land along the eastern shore of the Red Sea, south of Jeddah, representing the coastal fringe of Hejaz, Asir, and Yemen on the Red Sea.
In May 1934, after capturing Luhayya (1 May[27]) and Hodeida (4 May[a]), Saudi forces advanced towards Sanaa, where a battle was expected. The mountains were problematical for their armoured cars and tanks. Neither the British nor Italian forces in the region were expected to intervene.[28] Although the Saudis had better weapons, including tanks, the Yemenis had more experience with mountain warfare. Although the dispute had been brewing for some time, British onlookers predicted that the result would be indecisive.[29] The King demanded the abdication of the Iman, five years control of the border region, and the expulsion from Yemen of the former rulers of Asir.[30]
By 10 May 1934, reports from the war were contradictory.[31] Sanaa was reported to be in upheaval, although the Iman claimed to be in charge.[32] The Yemenis retreated from Hodeida, but claimed to be winning in Najran. The Imam announced a bold plan to advance on Riyadh with 200,000 men, although this attack never eventuated.[33] According to Resort to War: A Data Guide to Inter-State, Extra-State, Intra-State, and Non-State Wars, 1816-2007, the Saudis had decisively won the war on 13 May 1934.[16]
Treaty of Taif
On 12 May 1934, peace negotiations had commenced. Saudi Arabia dropped the demand for Imam Yahya's abdication, but demanded a truce for at least 20 years.[34] It was reported that the Crown Prince of Yemen supported the war, while his father the Imam was in favour of peace.[35][36] Ibn Saud claimed that he was not interested in taking over Yemen.[37]
On May 26, it was reported that relations were tense and a re-outbreak of hostilities was likely.[38] However, on 14 June 1934 it was reported that a Treaty had been signed between the King and the Imam guaranteeing 20 years of peace.[39][40] The last Saudi troops left Yemen on 7 July.[41]
The Saudis relinquished Hodeida and the Yemeni coast, but the other disputed areas were incorporated into Saudi Arabia. Jizan/Jizin, Asir, and Najran are part of modern Saudi Arabia.
See also
- Najran conflict, a preceding Saudi–Yemeni conflict
- Al-Wadiah War, a subsequent Saudi–Yemeni conflict
- North Yemen Civil War
- List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
- List of wars involving Saudi Arabia
- Saudi–Rashidi War
- Saudi–Yemen barrier
- Saudi Arabia–Yemen border
- Treaty of Jeddah (2000)
Notes
References
- ISBN 9780091472900.
- ISBN 9780872894341.
The better-armed Saudis won the seven-week war decisively
- ^ ISBN 9780195360707.
- ^ Rongxing Guo. Cross border resource management, theory and practice. Ed. S. V. Krupa. Elsevier, 2005: p.115.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". The Queenslander. 1933-08-31.
- ^ "A modern Soloman". 1934-10-26.
- ^ "Picturesque Figures". 1934-05-05.
- ^ "Who shall be lord of Arabia?". 1934-05-09.
- ^ "Daring Woman Traveller". 1923-07-01.
- ^ "War Talk in Arabia". 1933-11-16.
- ^ Orkaby, Asher. "Saudi Arabia's War with the Houthis: Old Borders, New Lines". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "Treaty with Yemen signed". 1934-02-17.
- ^ "Britain Neutral - Protection for Nationals". 1934-05-09.
- ^ "Victors in Yemen". Launceston Examiner. 1934-05-16. Retrieved 2012-09-25 – via Trove.
- ^ "Fighting in Arabia". 1934-03-24.
- ^ ISBN 9780872894341.
- ^ "'File 6/27 Foreign Interests: Sa'udi-Yemen Dispute' [10r] (19/174)". Qatar Digital Library. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "'File 6/27 Foreign Interests: Sa'udi-Yemen Dispute' [23r] (45/174)". Qatar Digital Library. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "'File 6/27 Foreign Interests: Sa'udi-Yemen Dispute' [14r] (27/174)". Qatar Digital Library. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "'File 6/27 Foreign Interests: Sa'udi-Yemen Dispute' [16r] (31/174)". Qatar Digital Library. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "British sailors protect merchants at Hodeida". 1934-05-11.
- ^ "Arab Fighting - Ibn Saud attacks Yemen". 1934-05-05.
- ^ "Arabian Upheaval - The Yemen invaded". 1934-05-05.
- ^ a b "Fighting in Arabia - Yemen invaded by warlike Wahabis". 1934-05-05.
- ^ "Fighting in Arabia". 1934-05-05.
- ^ "Arabian Fighting - Plight of the Yemen - Defence of the Capital". 1934-05-08.
- ^ JSTOR 3381523.
- ^ "Arabia - More tribal fighting - British neutrality". 1934-05-09.
- ^ "Fighting in Arabia". 1934-05-09.
- ^ "Fighting in Arabia - Ibn Saud defeats Yemen forces". 1934-05-07.
- ^ "Confused position in Arabia - Both forces claim successes". 1934-05-10.
- ^ "Arabian War continues - Yemen chief denies reports". 1934-05-10.
- ^ "Yemen disturbance". 1934-05-12.
- ^ "Peace Negotiations in Arabian War". 1934-05-14.
- ^ "Fighting in Arabia - Truce announced". 1934-05-15.
- ^ "Truce in Arabia - Yemeni ruler wants peace - Acceptance of Ibn Sauds terms". 1934-05-15.
- ^ "King of Arabia does not want conquest of Yemen". 1934-05-17.
- ^ "Arabian Dispute. Hitch in Negotiations. More Fighting possible". 1934-05-26.
- ^ "Saudi and Yemen - 20-year treaty". 1934-06-16.
- ^ "Arabian Affairs. Treaty Ready". 1934-06-16.
- ^ "Saudi-Yemen situation". British Consulate-General. 7 July 1934.
Further reading
- .