The Arab World’s Poorest Country, Locked in Civil War
Yemen has been in civil war since 2014 — a conflict involving Houthi rebels (Shia, backed by Iran) who control Sana’a and northern Yemen, and the internationally recognised government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The war has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world — approximately 24 million Yemenis (80% of the population) need humanitarian assistance.
Since 2023, the Houthis have launched attacks on Red Sea shipping in response to the Israel-Gaza war, disrupting global shipping routes. The conflict has effectively made Yemen inaccessible to tourists for a decade.
Pre-war Yemen preserved extraordinary architectural heritage — Sana’a’s old city (2,500+ years old with its distinctive tower houses), Shibam (“Manhattan of the Desert” — medieval earthen high-rises), and Socotra (a UNESCO-listed island ecosystem with the endemic dragon blood tree).
A Brief History
Ancient Yemen was home to the Queen of Sheba tradition. Islamic from the 7th century. Divided between North Yemen and British-administered South Yemen (Aden) for much of the 20th century. Unification in 1990 was followed by civil war in 1994 and the current conflict from 2014.
Geography and Climate
Yemen covers 527,968 km² on the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. Terrain: mountain highlands, coastal plains, vast deserts, the Socotra archipelago in the Arabian Sea.
Culture, Language and Religion
Arabic is official. Religion: approximately 99% Muslim (Sunni ~65%, Shia/Zaydi ~35%).
The Economy
Yemen has the lowest GDP per capita in the Arab world (~$600 annually). The economy has collapsed during the civil war.
UNESCO Sites
Yemen has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all on the endangered list: Old City of Sana’a, Old Walled City of Shibam, Historic Town of Zabid, and Socotra Archipelago.
Travel Guide
Strongly discouraged by all Western governments since 2014.
Surprising Facts
- Coffee is believed to have originated in Yemen — the word “coffee” derives from the Yemeni port of Mocha.
- Shibam’s 16th-century mud-brick towers (5-11 storeys) are often called “the Manhattan of the Desert”.
- Socotra Island has an extraordinary endemic flora — the dragon blood tree, the desert rose, and hundreds of other species found nowhere else.
- The Queen of Sheba — the biblical figure — is traditionally associated with Yemen.
- Yemen was two countries — North Yemen and South Yemen (People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen) — from 1967 to 1990.
- The Houthi slogan “God is great, death to America, death to Israel…” has been on Houthi flags since 2003.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.