South Yemen insurgency

Quick Facts: Who was South Yemen insurgency?

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South Yemen insurgency

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A protracted separatist movement and series of attacks in Southern Yemen since 2009.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The South Yemen insurgency is a series of protests and attacks on government forces in southern Yemen since 27 April 2009. The insurgency comes amid the Shia insurgency in the country's north as led by the Houthi communities. Southern leaders led a brief, unsuccessful secession in 1994 following unification. Many of them are involved in the present secession movement. Southern separatist insurgents are active mainly in the area of former South Yemen, and also in Dhale Governorate which was not a part of the independent southern state.

Career & Major Achievements

The modern country of Yemen was split into two countries from 1967 to 1990: the Yemen Arab Republic, or North Yemen, and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, or South Yemen. Ali Abdullah Saleh became president of North Yemen in 1978. His government had poor relations with the Zaydis, a branch of Shia Muslims, mainly located in North Yemen and southern Saudi Arabia. Saleh eventually led the effort to unify North and South Yemen, which happened in 1990; he became president of the new Republic of Yemen. While developing the new country, Saleh found opposition in Sunni Muslims and residents of former South Yemen, who felt that he was changing the country too much in the pursuit of unification.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The southerners also felt like they were being given second-class status compared to the north. Saleh would stay in power for decades, forcefully suppressing his opposition. In 1994, a civil war broke out when opposing southerners tried to secede into their own country like before; this was quickly won by Saleh, who kept the country unified. In 1998, al-Qaeda in Yemen (AQY) a branch of the militant organization al-Qaeda, began an insurgency against Saleh's government in an attempt to control the region, which continues to this day. At the time, al-Qaeda was run by Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1967: 1967 Milestone — The modern country of Yemen was split into two countries from 1967 to 1990: the Yemen Arab Republic, or North Yemen, and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, or South Yemen.
2. 1978: 1978 Milestone — Ali Abdullah Saleh became president of North Yemen in 1978.
3. 1990: 1990 Milestone — Saleh eventually led the effort to unify North and South Yemen, which happened in 1990; he became president of the new Republic of Yemen.
4. 1994: 1994 Milestone — Southern leaders led a brief, unsuccessful secession in 1994 following unification.
5. 1998: 1998 Milestone — In 1998, al-Qaeda in Yemen (AQY) a branch of the militant organization al-Qaeda, began an insurgency against Saleh's government in an attempt to control the region, which continues to this day.
6. 2009: 2009 Milestone — The South Yemen insurgency is a series of protests and attacks on government forces in southern Yemen since 27 April 2009.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: South Yemen insurgency

True or False: “The initial secession attempt by southern leaders occurred immediately after the unification of North and South Yemen in 1990.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The first major unsuccessful secession attempt mentioned occurred in 1994, following the unification process.

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Frequently Asked Questions about South Yemen insurgency