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A Short History of Yemen

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Yemen is considered to be one of the oldest important centers in the Near East region between the 12th BC and 6th AD before getting annexed by the other empires like the Ethiopians and Persians.

The current theocratic society of Yemen dates back from the 7th Century AD when the Caliphates decided to expand their territories and spread the Islamic religion. Imams were the usual viceroys except that their clout was not just religious in nature but includes political and economic aspects as well.

Throughout the 11th Century, Yemen fell under the Egyptian Sunni Caliphate. Then in the 16th Century, the kingdom was claimed by the Ottoman Empire. Again, in the 19th Century, North Yemen was under the Ottoman Turks, and in some brief periods, controlled the South. The British Empire has a foothold in the southern part of Yemen and that’s why the Ottomans cannot fully control Yemen during this time.

In 1918, North Yemen finally got independence from the Ottoman Empire. In 1962 North Yemen became officially a republic. South Yemen was, however, still in the clutches of the British Empire. When the British totally pulled out from Yemeni soil in 1967, this part of Yemen established its own government and officially became South Yemen. In 1970, South Yemen became a Communist state where it adopted a Communist form of government.

In 1990, the two Yemen finally realized that it was high time to unite. In May 22, 1990, North and South Yemen officially became one and since then has been known officially as the Republic of Yemen.