Middle East 527
MID#2157
Dispute Number: 2157
Date(s): January 29, 1963 to February 26, 1963
Participants: 678 Yemen Arab Republic/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: The Yemen Arab Republic formed in September 1962, comprised ter-
ritory north of the British-held Aden Protectorate. The newly formed state, which
remained unrecognized by the British, tried to consolidate its territory at the expense
of Britain’s Aden Protectorate. The attempt started with a January 29, 1963, occupa-
tion of a valley in the Beihan territory. An attack on British guards occurred in tan-
dem with the occupation, resulting in the death of a border guard. The British sent an
ultimatum on February 26, demanding that the Yemenis withdraw within three hours
of receipt of the ultimatum. Yemen refused. The British responded with an attack on
republican forces for 30 minutes, forcing the Yemenis to withdraw.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 27, 1963.
MID#2155
Dispute Number: 2155
Date(s): December 28, 1966 to April 22, 1967
Participants: 678 Yemen Arab Republic/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: The Federation of South Arabia was an organization of states and a pro-
tectorate of the United Kingdom. Aden was one of these states. When the British
announced that it would be vacating the area by November 1967, a heated dispute
began within the region. Yemeni forces joined terrorists and rebels in attack on the
protectorate on December 28, 1966. More attacks followed, and there was a general
harassment of British forces in the region while Britain trained Aden’s army, prepar-
ing for British withdrawal. The last hope in British eyes for a peaceful transition to
the independence of the Federation was UN involvement, but because the British
only controlled Aden and not the 16 other states in the Federation, this was deemed
unlikely on April 21, 1967. The last cross-border action before Britain left occurred
one day later.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from December 31, 1966. Fatalities changed
from Missing.
210 NETHERLANDS/630 IRAN
MID#2585
Dispute Number: 2585
Date(s): November 5, 1985 to January 20, 1986