29°C | 17°C
Country information: Yemen
| Official Name: | Republic of Yemen |
| Population: | 24,3 million (UN, 2010) |
| Capital: | Sanaa |
| Government: | Republic |
| Leaders: | Ali Abdallah Saleh |
| Religion: | Muslim majority, including orientations such as Shaf’i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shia) |
| Languages: | Arabic |
| GDP: | $63.4 billion (CIA 2010 est.) |
| GDP/Capita: | $2,700 (CIA 2010 est.) |
| Main exports: | Crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish, liquefied natural gas |
| Time zone: | GMT + 3 |
| International dialing code: | +967 |
| Currency: | 1 Yemen Riyal (YER) = USD 0.0046 |
Country briefing
Yemen has a long history, occupying a key location along the ancient spice routes at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The 20th century was troublesome for Yemen, plagued by civil war and poverty.
North Yemen became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1918, while South Yemen remained under British control until 1967. Intense fighting and rivalry developed between the two Yemens, but they managed to strike a peace deal and subsequently united as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. Civil War erupted again in 1994, leaving the victor, former North Yemenite leader Ali Abdallah Saleh as president.
In total, Saleh has ruled for almost 33 years. Plagued by insecurity and a lack of economic growth, Yemen remains the poorest country in the Middle East. The main problem for Saleh has always been a reoccurring challenge from Islamist militants, al-Qaeda loyalists, as well as northern Houthi rebels. The country is often referred to as a safe haven for terrorism.
During the Arab Spring of 2011, popular demands for his resignation grew. Thousands of Yemenis protested on the streets, facing a brutal response from government forces. The opposition has refrained from accepting Saleh as their legitimate ruler, forcing him to promise to step down before the end of 2011. Several notable Saleh supporters have switched sides claiming allegiance to pro-democracy activists. While his regime appears to crumble (Saleh himself flew to Saudi Arabia in June 2011 in the wake of serious injuries caused by a missile attack), he remains in control. International efforts to reach a deal have so far been unfruitful.
