Yemen: History

The British seize control of the city of Aden from Yemen. The city serves as a major refueling port when the Suez Canal opened in 1869.

After being forced out in the 1600's, the Ottoman Empire recaptures North Yemen.

The Ottoman Empire dissolves and North Yemen gains its independence.

After army forces seize power, they set up the Yemen Arab Republic in northern Yemen.

The People's Republic of Yemen is formed in southern Yemen and is comprised of Aden and South Arabia.

The Arab League intervenes and forces a ceasefire to stop border clashes between the two Yemens.

The two Yemens unite as the Republic of Yemen and a coalition government is formed in 1993.

Al-Qaeda strikes oil supertanker MV Limburg in the Gulf of Aden. The attacks costs Yemen significant port revenues. 

The Houthis Shia group rebel against the government in the North, sparking a period of prolonged conflicts. 

The Houthi rebels take control of the capital city of Sanaa, which forces Saudi Arabia and the GCC members to intervene and back the government. 

Separatists and government sign power-sharing agreement to end conflict in southern Yemen.

HADI's government and the STC signed a power-sharing agreement to end the fighting between them, and in December 2020, the signatories formed a new cabinet.

In 2020 and 2021, fighting continued on the ground in Yemen as the Huthis gained territory, and also conducted regular UAV and missile attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia.