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Yemen

 

Contents

Flags

Flags in the civil war

Meaning/Origin of the Flag

Coat of Arms

Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

Aircraft Roundel

Map

Numbers and Facts

History

Origin of the Country's Name


History of North Yemen

History of South Yemen

Historical states and flags:

  – Kingdom of Yemen

  – Arab Republic of Yemen

  – Aden Colony

  – Aden Protectorate

  – Western Aden Protectorate

  – Federation of Arab Emirates of the South

  – Federation of South Arabia

  – Eastern Aden Protectorate

  – Protectorate of South Arabia

  – People's Republic of South Yemen

  – People's Democratic Republic of Yemen



Flags

Flagge Fahne flag National flag Jemen Yemen
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (D)




Flagge Fahne flag Jemen Yemen Präsident president
since 2011,
Flag of the president,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Flags of the World



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Flags in the civil war

Flagge Fahne flag National flag Jemen Yemen
Gouvernment,
Source, by: Wikipedia (D)


Flagge Fahne flag Houthi Rebellen Huti Houti Rebellen Rebels
Houthi Rebels,
Source, by: Wikipedia (D)


Flagge Fahne flag VDRJ PDYR Südjemen South Yemen Jemen Separatisten Rebellen Hirak
Southern Movement (Southern Yemenite separatists, also: al-Hirak),
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)


Flagge Fahne flag Al-Kaida Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda,
Source, by: Wikipedia (AF)

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Meaning/Origin of the Flag

Today's flag of Yemen is red-white-black horizontally striped. It was introduced on 24th of May, 1990 in context with the unification of North and South Yemen. Red stands for the revolutionary spirit, white for the hope for a better future, black for the dark past. The flag has it's roots in the flags of North and South Yemen, and those in turn probably in the flag of Egypt. The colour triad of red, white and black is referred as Panarabian colours. This is not entirely correct. The three colours go back to the late Gamal Abd el-Nasser (1918–1970), Egyptian military officer, politician as well as later the state's president and prime minister, and most important representative of the Arabian nationalism and panarabism. After the national revolution of 1952 the Arabian Liberation Flag was introduced in Egypt, which represented those ideals. It was, at least in choice and arrangement a model for many other Arabian states and state alliances. The colours stand always for the revolution (red), the future (white) and the past (black). The colours have their roots in the flag of the Arabian Revolt during the First World War. Yet the colours of the Arabian Revolt (Arabian Movement) include even green. The colour quartet of four, green, white, black and red is a special Arabian colours symbol, the Panarabian colours. The (Pan)Arabian colours were officially introduced by the Sheriff Hussein of Mekka – of the lineage of the Hashemides – as colours of the Arabian Movement during the First World War at the secession of the Kingdom of Hedjas from the Ottoman Empire. The flag of Hedjas served as pattern. The colours have the following meaning: Red is the colour of Omar, the second calif; white stands for the Omajiades, a calif-dynasty, which goes back to the fifth calif Moawija I.; green stands for the Fatimides, a ismailitic-shiit calif-dynasty, which goes back to the fourth calif Ali; and black stands for the Abbasides, a calif-dynasty, which goes back to the calif Abbas I. Red is also the colour of the Hashemides, an Arabian sovereign-dynasty, which probably goes back to Hashim ibn Abd al-Manaf, the grandfather of Mohammed. Green is in addition generally the colour of Islam, and does not refer only to the Arabian countries.

Source: Volker Preuß, Die Welt der Flaggen, Wappen und Flaggen aller Nationen

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Coat of Arms


Wappen coat of arms Jemen Yemen
Coat of arms of Yemen,
Source, by: Corel Draw 4

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Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

Today's coat of arms of the Republic of Yemen is a powerful reminder of the coat of arms of the Arabian Republic of Yemen (YAR / 1962–1990) and shows a now golden eagle above a golden ribbon. In it, as an inscription, the name of the state. On the chest of the eagle lies a blazon which shows the wall of the historic Maribu Dam and a coffee plant. To the left and right of the shield the eagle holds golden flagpoles with the flags of the Republic of Yemen. The coat of arms was introduced in May of the year 1990.

Source: Volker Preuß, Wappen und Flaggen aller Nationen

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Aircraft Roundel

Flugzeugkokarde Kokarde aircraft roundel Jemen Yemen
Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

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Map

Location:

Source: CIA World Factbook

Map of the country:

Source: CIA World Factbook

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Numbers and Facts

Area: 203.890 square miles

Inhabitants: 29.800.000 (2020), thereof 97 % Arabs, 1 % Indian and Pakistani, 2 % Somali

Religions: 65 % Sunni Muslim, 34 % Shia Muslim, 1 % Jewish, Baha'i, Hindu, and Christian

Density of Population: 146 inh./sq.mi.

Capital (de jure): Sanâ, 2.545.000 inh. (2017)

Capital (de facto): Aden, 568.704 inh. (2003)

official Language: Arabic

Currency: 1 Yemen Rial (YER, YRI) = 100 Fils

Time Zone: GMT + 3 h

Source: Wikipedia (D), CIA World Factbook

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History

antiquity · Yemen belongs to the Empires of the Sabeans and Mineans

ca. 280–350 · Himjarite's Empire in Yemen

ca. 350-450 · transitional to the Empire of Aksum, expansion of Christianity

572–628 · the Himjarite's Empire belongs to the Sassanide's Empire (Persia)

628–631 · Islamic-Arabian capture, expansion of the Islam

859 · foundation of the kingdom (Imamate) of the Zaidite's dynasty (Schiites) by Jahja ibn el Hussain in Sanâ

1513 · unsuccessful Portugese attempt to colonize the City of Aden

1538 · conquest by the Ottoman Empire

1636 · expulsion of the Ottoman troops

1733 · Yemen becomes fully independent under the Zaidite's dynasty

1834 · United Kingdom occupies Socotra Island

1839 · United Kingdom occupies Aden

1854 · United Kingdom occupies the Kuria-Muria Islands

1857 · United Kingdom occupies Perim Island

1871 · occupation of Northern Yemen (Sanâ) by the Ottoman Empire

1882–1905 · United Kingdom occupies the City of Aden region and Hadramaut (Southern Yemen)

1904 · revolt against the Turks under leadership of the Zaidite's Imam (King)

1905 · surrender of the Turkish troops

1911 · Treaty between the Ottoman Empire and the Imam: granting of autonomy in recognition of the Ottoman supremacy

1918–1990 · partition of the country into North Yemen (Sanâ) and South Yemen (Aden, Aden-Protectorate and South Arabian Federation)

1990 · unification of the Arab Republic of Yemen (YAR) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDYR) to the Republic of Jemen

1994 · battles with separatist armed forces in Southern Yemen, invasion of loyal troops from Northern Yemen, escape of the Southern Yemenite separatists

since 2013 · civil war, Houthi rebels (Shiites) from North Yemen, supported by elements of the army, attack the government in Saná fleeing to Aden, Hadramaut comes temporarily under the reign of Al-Qaeda, in between act Southern Yemenite separatists (al-Hirak), who fought until 2017 even on the side of the government

March 2015 · military intervention led by Saudi Arabia, involving the following countries: Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, supported by the USA, France and United Kingdom

April 2018 · the United Arab Emirates take advantage of the turmoil of the ongoing civil war and occupy the strategically important placed Island of Socotra with troops, a little later supplemented by troops of the South Yemeni separatists

Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Discovery '97, Weltgeschichte, Wikipedia (D)

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Origin of the Country's Name

The country's name goes back to the title "Imam" (role model, prayer leader), which the Shiite rulers of the country wore in ancient times.

Source: Handbuch der geographischen Namen

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Historical states and flags

1.) North Yemen

History of North Yemen
1733 · Yemen becomes fully independent from the Ottoman Empire under the Zaidite's dynasty
1918 · proclamation of the Kingdom of Yemen in Northern Yemen (Sanâ) as British protectorate
1925 · official recognition of the Imam Jahja as king by United Kingdom, alliance treaties
1934 · Saudi-Arabia recognizes the Kingdom of Yemen
1934 · frontier treaty between Yemen and the Aden Protectorate (United Kingdom)
17th of February 1948 · assassination of King Jahja, son Ahmed becomes successor
1957 · King Ahmed terminates the alliance with United Kingdom and claims for the Aden Colony
19th of September 1962 · death of King Ahmed, son Muhammad becomes successor
26th of September 1962 · military coup d'état, proclamation of the Arab Republic of Yemen
1962–1968 · civil war between republicans and royalists with intervention of Egypt, United Kingdom and Saudi-Arabia
1970 · republicans and royalists constitute a mutual government
1972 · military conflicts with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
1974 · military coup d'état
1974–1978 · civil riots
1990 · unification of the Arab Republic of Yemen and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen to the Republic of Yemen
Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Discovery '97, Weltgeschichte, Wikipedia (D)

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1. 1.) Kingdom of Yemen

Flagge Fahne flag Königreich Kingdom Nordjemen North Yemen Jemen
1918–1927,
National flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Die Welt im bunten Flaggenbild




Flagge Fahne flag Königreich Kingdom Nordjemen North Yemen Jemen
1927–1962,
National flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Die Welt im bunten Flaggenbild, Flaggenbuch 1939




Flagge Fahne flag König King Nordjemen North Yemen Jemen
to 1962,
Flag of the King,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Die Welt im bunten Flaggenbild, Flaggenbuch 1939



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag:
The first flag of the Kingdom of Yemen was adoped in the year 1918 and was single- coloured red and showed above in two lines in white Arabian fonts the Islamic credo, the Shahada: "Allah il Allah, wa Muhammad rasul Allah" → "There is no God but God; and Mohammed is His messenger". The line below is: "At tawakkul hala-Ilahi, nasaruhu-Ilahu" → "Trust in Allah, the victory gives Allah". The colour red is probably the colour of the Zaidite dynasty. The Zaidite dynasty goes back to a great-grandchild of Ali (Zaid ben Ali). Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Mohammed. In the year 1927 was adoped a new flag. It was likewise single- coloured red and showed a five-pointed white star in each four corners with another one in the centre above the sword of the faith fighters. The five stars symbolize the family of the prophet: Mohammed himself, his youngest daughter Fatima, her husband Ali and their two sons Hassan and Hussein. The flag of 1918 was maintained as the flag of the Imam (King). The king was not only chief of state, but also the supreme spiritual leader.
Source: Die Welt im bunten Flaggenbild

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1. 2.) Arab Republic of Yemen

Flagge Fahne flag JAR YAR Nordjemen North Yemen Jemen
1962–1990,
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Flaggen und Wappen



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag:
In 1985, Egypt and Syria had joined the United Arab Republic, which was intended to be a model for the union of all Arab states on the example of Egypt. Syria left the confederation in 1961. In the Kingdom of Yemen, in 1962 there was a revolution (led by Egypt), what resulted in the overthrow of the king. A new flag was introduced, which was based on the flag of the United Arab Republic, but showed only one green star. The following civil war, with the participation of Egyptian troops on the side of the Republic, and the support of the monarchy by Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom on the other side, ended in 1968 with a compromise.
Source: Volker Preuß, Wappen und Flaggen aller Nationen, Wikipedia (EN)

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Coat of Arms:

Wappen coat of arms JAR YAR Nordjemen North Yemen Jemen Arab Republic of Yemen
Coat of arms of the Arab Republic of Yemen,
Source: Corel Draw 4

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Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms:
The coat of arms of the YAR follows the design of the old royal coat of arms and shows a silvery eagle above a green ribbon. In it as inscription is the name of the state. On the chest of the eagle lies a blazon which shows the wall of the historic Maribu Dam and a coffee plant. To the left and right of the shield the eagle holds silvery flagpoles with the flags of the Republic of Yemen. The coat of arms was introduced in 1962.
Source: Volker Preuß, Wappen und Flaggen aller Nationen

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Aircraft Roundel:

Flugzeugkokarde Kokarde aircraft roundel JAR YAR Nordjemen North Yemen Jemen
Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

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2.) South Yemen

History of South Yemen
1937 · Aden became in this way an individual British crown colony (Aden Colony), and the surrounding hinterland and Hadramaut became the Aden Protectorate, formerly to the Province of Bombay (India); In the interests of an effective management, the Aden Protectorate was divided into the Western Aden Protectorate (capital: Lahej) and the Eastern Aden Protectorate (capital: Mukalla)
1959 · the Western Aden Protectorate is being restructured into the Federation of South Arab Emirates
1962 · renaming of the Federation of South Arab Emirates to South Arab Federation
18th of January 1963 · annexation of the Aden Colony to the South Arab Federation, the remainder of the Aden Protectorate is renamed to South Arab Protectorate
1966 · beginning of struggle against United Kingdom:
1. FLOSY (Front for the liberation of the occupyed South Yemen) struggle for union with North Yemen (Arab Republic of Yemen),
2. NLF (National Liberation Front) struggle for independence of South Yemen from United Kingdom and North Yemen
1967 · United Kingdom withdraws it's troops from the South Arab Protectorate and the South Arab Federation
30th of November 1967 · unification of the South Arab Protectorate and South Arab Federation, independence, proclamation of the People's Republic of South Yemen
1967–1970 · civil war between FLOSY and NLF, banning of the FLOSY
1970 · renaming of the People's Republic of South Yemen to the People`s Democratic Republic of Yemen
1972 · military conflicts with the Arab Republic of Yemen
1986 · civil war
1990 · unification of the Arab Republic of Yemen and the People`s Democratic Republic of Yemen to the Republic of Yemen
Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Discovery '97, Weltgeschichte, Wikipedia (D)

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2. 1.) Aden Colony

Flagge Fahne flag Britisch British Aden Kolonie Aden Colony Jemen Yemen
1937–1963,
Flag of the government (state flag),
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Flagge Fahne flag Staat Aden State of Aden Jemen Yemen
1963–1967,
State of Aden,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (NL)



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag:
The crown colony of Aden was constituted in 1937 (previously it had been governed from British India) and used the in British colonies usual Blue Ensign until her annexation (then as State of Aden) to the South Arab Federation. The badge in the flag’s flying end showed a coastal scenery with two sailboats. The colony also included the islands of Kamaran (147 sq.mi.), Perim (66 sq.mi.) and the Churiya Muriya Islands (483 sq.mi.)
Source: Volker Preuß, Flags of the World, Wikipedia (D)

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2. 2.) Aden Protectorate

The Aden Protectorate had no own flag. In the interests of an effective management, the Aden protectorate was divided into the Western Aden Protectorate (capital: Lahej) and the Eastern Aden Protectorate (capital: Mukalla).
Source: Volker Preuß, Wikipedia (EN), World Statesmen

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2. 2. 1.) Western Aden Protectorate

The Western Aden Protectorate had no own flag, but some states within the Protectorate had one. For informations about the sub-states please click here. The Western Aden Protectorate became restructured in 1959 to the Federation of Arab Emirates of the South.
more Informations? – click or tap here
Source: Volker Preuß, Wikipedia (EN), World Statesmen

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2. 2. 1. 1.) Federation of Arab Emirates of the South, 1959-1962

The Federation of Arab Emirates of the South had no own flag, but some states within the country had one. For informations about the sub-states please click here. A special history have the Wahidi-States. They originally belonged to the Western Aden Protectorate and were only briefly part of the Federation of Arab Emirates of the South in 1959. They joined the Protectorate of South Arabia in 1963. The Federation of Arab Emirates of the South became restructured in 1962 to the South Arabian Federation.
more Informations? – click or tap here
Source: Volker Preuß, Wikipedia (EN)

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2. 2. 1. 2.) Federation of South Arabia, 1962-1967

Flagge Fahne flag Südarabische Föderation South Arabian Federation Jemen Yemen
1962–1967,
National flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




The flag of the South Arab Federation is reminiscent of that of the Sultanate of Fadhli. Presumably it was the most important member state of the country. The state of Aden, which was connected to the Federation in 1963, was the most important city. On the occasion of the independence from United Kingdom on 30th of November in 1967, the member states were abolished, and the South Arabian Federation and the Protectorate of South Arabia became united to the People's Republic of South Yemen.
more Informations? – click or tap here
Source: Volker Preuß, Wikipedia (EN)

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2. 2. 2.) Eastern Aden Protectorate, 1937–1963

The Eastern Aden Protectorate had no own flag, but some of the states within the Protectorate had one. For informations about the sub-states please click here. The Eastern Aden Protectorate became restructured in 1963 to the Protectorate of South Arabia.
more Informations? – click or tap here
Source: Volker Preuß, Wikipedia (EN), World Statesmen

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2. 2. 2. 1.) Protectorate of South Arabia, 1963–1967

The Protectorate of South Arabia had no own flag, but some of the states within the Protectorate had one. For informations about the sub-states please click here. On the occasion of the independence from United Kingdom on 30th of November in 1967, the member states were abolished, and the South Arabian Federation and the Protectorate of South Arabia became united to the People's Republic of South Yemen.
more Informations? – click or tap here
Source: Volker Preuß, Wikipedia (EN)

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2. 3.) People's Republic of South Yemen

Flagge Fahne flag Volksrepublik Südjemen People's Republic of South Yemen
1967–1970,
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: revrevd.com



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag:
The flag of the People's Republic of South Yemen showed three horizontal stripes in red, white and black and on the mast (in the leech) a pale blue triangle with a red star. This was intended to express the socialist ideals of the country. The design of the flag could have been borrowed from the flag of the Arab Republic of Yemen, or go back directly to the flag of Egypt. The flag of the NLF (National Liberation Front) showed also three stripes in black, white and red.
Source: Volker Preuß

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Coat of Arms:

Wappen coat of arms Volksrepublik Südjemen People's Republic of South Yemen
Coat of arms of the People's Republic of South Yemen,
Source: revrevd.com, Corel Draw 4

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Bedeutung/Ursprung des Wappens:
The coat of arms of the People's Republic of South Yemen was a Saladin eagle, similar to the eagle in the coat of arms of Syria and Egypt. The eagle’s breast-shield showed the flag in vertical arrangement and the banner the name of the country.
Source: Volker Preuß

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Aircraft Roundel:

Flugzeugkokarde Kokarde aircraft roundel VDRJ PDYR Südjemen South Yemen Jemen
1967–1970,
Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

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2. 4.) People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDYR)

Flagge Fahne flag Volksdemokratische Republik Jemen VDRJ People's Democratic Republic of Yemen PDRY Südjemen South Yemen Jemen
1970–1990,
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Flagge Fahne flag Volksdemokratische Republik Jemen VDRJ People's Democratic Republic of Yemen PDRY Südjemen South Yemen Jemen Präsident president
1970–1990,
Flag of the President,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Flags of the World



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag:
When the People's Republic of South Yemen was renamed the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) in 1970, the flag was retained.
Source: Volker Preuß

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Coat of Arms:

Wappen coat of arms VDRJ PDYR Südjemen South Yemen Jemen
Coat of arms of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen,
Source: Corel Draw 4

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Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms:
The coat of arms of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen was a Saladin eagle, similar to the eagle in the coat of arms of Syria and Egypt. The eagle’s breast-shield showed the flag in vertical arrangement and the banner the name of the country.
Source: Volker Preuß

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Aircraft Roundel:

Flugzeugkokarde Kokarde aircraft roundel VDRJ PDYR Südjemen South Yemen Jemen
1970–1980,
Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)


Flugzeugkokarde Kokarde aircraft roundel VDRJ PDYR Südjemen South Yemen Jemen
1980–1990,
Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Flags of the World

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Translator of some of the English text: Joachim Nuthack





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