1994 civil war in Yemen
Encyclopedia
The May–July 1994 civil war in Yemen was waged between the armed forces of the former Northern
and Southern
Yemeni states and their supporters. The war resulted in the defeat of the southern armed forces and the flight into exile of many Yemeni Socialist Party
leaders and other southern secessionists.
becoming President and Ali Salim al-Beidh Vice President. Greater Yemen
had been politically united for the first time in centuries. A unification of the two country's political and economic systems was to take place over 30 months. In that time, a unified parliament
was formed and a unity constitution was agreed upon. Elections were held in April 1993.
Vice President Ali Salim Al-Beidh withdrew to Aden
in August 1993 and said he would not return to the government until his grievances were addressed. These included northern violence against his Yemeni Socialist Party
, as well as the economic marginalization of the south. Negotiations to end the political deadlock dragged on into 1994. The government of Prime Minister Haydar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, the former PDRY Prime Minister, became ineffective due to political infighting.
An accord between northern and southern leaders was signed in Amman
, Jordan
on 20 February 1994, but this could not stop the civil war. During these tensions, both the northern and southern armies–which had never integrated–gathered on their respective frontiers.
missiles into San'a, killing dozens of civilians. Prime Minister Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas
was dismissed on May 10 after appealing for outside forces to help end the war.
Southern leaders seceded and declared the Democratic Republic of Yemen
(DRY) on 21 May 1994. No international government recognized the DRY. In mid-May, northern forces began a push toward Aden. The key city of Ataq
, which allowed access to the country's oil fields, was seized on May 24. The United Nations Security Council
adopted Resolution 924
calling for an end to the fighting and a cease-fire. A cease-fire was called on June 6, but lasted only six hours; concurrent talks to end the fighting in Cairo
collapsed as well. The north entered Aden on July 4. Supporters of Ali Nasir Muhammad
greatly assisted military operations against the secessionists and Aden was captured on 7 July 1994. Most resistance quickly collapsed and top southern military and political leaders fled into exile.
Almost all of the actual fighting in the 1994 civil war occurred in the southern part of the country, despite air and missile attacks against cities and major installations in the north. Southerners sought support from neighboring states and received billions of dollars of equipment and financial assistance, mostly from Saudi Arabia
, which felt threatened by a united Yemen. The United States
repeatedly called for a cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table. Various attempts, including by a UN special envoy and Russia, were unsuccessful to effect a cease-fire.
, Haydar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, Abd Al-Rahman Ali Al-Jifri
, and Salih Munassar Al-Siyali — were prepared, for misappropriation of official funds.
YSP leaders within Yemen reorganized following the civil war and elected a new politburo in July 1994. However, much of its influence had been destroyed in the war.
President Ali Abdallah Saleh was elected by Parliament on 1 October 1994 to a 5-year term. He is still in power.
As of 2007, a group called the South Yemen Movement calling for the secession of the south and the re-establishment of an independent southern state has grown in strength across many parts of south Yemen, leading to an increase in tensions and often violent clashes.
Yemen Arab Republic
The Yemen Arab Republic , also known as North Yemen or Yemen , was a country from 1962 to 1990 in the western part of what is now Yemen...
and Southern
People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen — also referred to as South Yemen, Democratic Yemen or Yemen — was a socialist republic in the present-day southern and eastern Provinces of Yemen...
Yemeni states and their supporters. The war resulted in the defeat of the southern armed forces and the flight into exile of many Yemeni Socialist Party
Yemeni Socialist Party
The Yemeni Socialist Party is a political party in Yemen.It was the ruling party in South Yemen, the only Marxist Arab state, before unification in 1990...
leaders and other southern secessionists.
Background
The Republic of Yemen (ROY) was declared on May 22, 1990 with Ali Abdullah SalehAli Abdullah Saleh
Field Marshal Ali Abdullah Saleh is the first President of the Republic of Yemen. Saleh previously served as President of the Yemen Arab Republic from 1978 until 1990, at which time he assumed the office of chairman of the Presidential Council of a post-unification Yemen. He is the...
becoming President and Ali Salim al-Beidh Vice President. Greater Yemen
Greater Yemen
Greater Yemen is a geographic term denoting the present territory of the Republic of Yemen as well as the Saudi regions of 'Asir, Najran Province, Jizan Province, the adjacent islands in the Red Sea and the adjacent parts of Tihamah and sometimes the Omani province of Dhofar.Greater Yemen is also...
had been politically united for the first time in centuries. A unification of the two country's political and economic systems was to take place over 30 months. In that time, a unified parliament
Assembly of Representatives of Yemen
The Assembly of Representatives is the legislature of Yemen. The Assembly has 301 members, elected for a six year term in single-seat constituencies.-See also:* List of Speakers of the Assembly of Representatives of Yemen...
was formed and a unity constitution was agreed upon. Elections were held in April 1993.
Vice President Ali Salim Al-Beidh withdrew to Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
in August 1993 and said he would not return to the government until his grievances were addressed. These included northern violence against his Yemeni Socialist Party
Yemeni Socialist Party
The Yemeni Socialist Party is a political party in Yemen.It was the ruling party in South Yemen, the only Marxist Arab state, before unification in 1990...
, as well as the economic marginalization of the south. Negotiations to end the political deadlock dragged on into 1994. The government of Prime Minister Haydar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, the former PDRY Prime Minister, became ineffective due to political infighting.
An accord between northern and southern leaders was signed in Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
on 20 February 1994, but this could not stop the civil war. During these tensions, both the northern and southern armies–which had never integrated–gathered on their respective frontiers.
Events
On April 27, a major tank battle erupted in Amran, near San'a. Both sides accused the other of starting it. On May 4, the southern air force bombed San'a and other areas in the north; the northern air force responded by bombing Aden. President Saleh declared a 30-day state of emergency, and foreign nationals began evacuating the country. Vice President al-Beidh was officially dismissed. South Yemen also fired ScudScud
Scud is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and exported widely to other countries. The term comes from the NATO reporting name SS-1 Scud which was attached to the missile by Western intelligence agencies...
missiles into San'a, killing dozens of civilians. Prime Minister Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas
Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas
Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas was appointed Prime Minister of Yemen by President Ali Abdullah Saleh when the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and Yemen Arab Republic united in 1990 to form present-day Yemen. Al-Attas served until 1994...
was dismissed on May 10 after appealing for outside forces to help end the war.
Southern leaders seceded and declared the Democratic Republic of Yemen
Democratic Republic of Yemen
The Democratic Republic of Yemen was declared in May 1994. The DRY, with its capital in Aden, was led by President Ali Salim al-Beidh and Prime Minister Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas and represented a response to the weakening position of the South in the Yemeni civil war of 1994...
(DRY) on 21 May 1994. No international government recognized the DRY. In mid-May, northern forces began a push toward Aden. The key city of Ataq
Ataq
Ataq , alternately spelled Attaq, is a small city and the capital of Shabwah Governorate in Yemen. Ataq is 458 km south east of Sana'a. The difference in elevation of the city is about 70 m with generally partially flat topography with altitudinal variation in the range of 1120–1190 m.a.s.l....
, which allowed access to the country's oil fields, was seized on May 24. The United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
adopted Resolution 924
United Nations Security Council Resolution 924
United Nations Security Council Resolution 924, adopted unanimously on June 1, 1994, after considering the civil war in Yemen between the Yemeni government and Yemeni Socialist Party, the Council called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for a fact-finding mission to be sent to the...
calling for an end to the fighting and a cease-fire. A cease-fire was called on June 6, but lasted only six hours; concurrent talks to end the fighting in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
collapsed as well. The north entered Aden on July 4. Supporters of Ali Nasir Muhammad
Ali Nasir Muhammad
Ali Nasir Muhammad Husani was twice president of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. He served as Chairman of the Presidential Council from 26 June 1978 - 27 December 1978. In April 1980, South Yemeni president Abdul Fattah Ismail resigned and went into exile...
greatly assisted military operations against the secessionists and Aden was captured on 7 July 1994. Most resistance quickly collapsed and top southern military and political leaders fled into exile.
Almost all of the actual fighting in the 1994 civil war occurred in the southern part of the country, despite air and missile attacks against cities and major installations in the north. Southerners sought support from neighboring states and received billions of dollars of equipment and financial assistance, mostly from Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, which felt threatened by a united Yemen. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
repeatedly called for a cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table. Various attempts, including by a UN special envoy and Russia, were unsuccessful to effect a cease-fire.
Aftermath
President Saleh now had control over all of Yemen. A general amnesty was declared, except for 16 southern figures; legal cases against four — Ali Salim al-BaidhAli Salim al-Baidh
Ali Salim al-Beidh is a Yemeni politician who served as the General Secretary of the Yemeni Socialist Party , the top political position in South Yemen, and as Vice-President of Yemen following Yemen's unification in 1990. He left the unification government in 1994, sparking the 1994 civil war in...
, Haydar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, Abd Al-Rahman Ali Al-Jifri
Abd Al-Rahman Ali Al-Jifri
as-Sayyid AbdulRahman Ali AlJifri is a prominent Yemeni opposition leader. He was the Vice-President of the Presidency Council of the short-lived Government of the Democratic Republic of Yemen that was established on May 21, 1994...
, and Salih Munassar Al-Siyali — were prepared, for misappropriation of official funds.
YSP leaders within Yemen reorganized following the civil war and elected a new politburo in July 1994. However, much of its influence had been destroyed in the war.
President Ali Abdallah Saleh was elected by Parliament on 1 October 1994 to a 5-year term. He is still in power.
As of 2007, a group called the South Yemen Movement calling for the secession of the south and the re-establishment of an independent southern state has grown in strength across many parts of south Yemen, leading to an increase in tensions and often violent clashes.