Middle East 707
Narrative: On June 24, 1978, a South Yemeni official used a suitcase bomb to assas-
sinate North Yemen’s president. On July 2, at the request of North Yemen, the Arab
League embargoed South Yemen for its role in the assassination, and the next day
South Yemen accused North Yemen of violating its airspace. Adding to the tension in
the dispute were American advisors in North Yemen and Soviet and Cuban advisors
in South Yemen.
Border clashes continued from October to January. Fighting broke out once
again on February 23. The next day North Yemen requested Arab League inter-
vention. On February 28, Saudi Arabia placed its troops on alert and called for an
emergency session of the Arab League. North Yemen and South Yemen agreed to
accept mediation. On March 2, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan arranged a ceasefire, but
the fighting continued. On March 5, the United States sent a naval task force in a
display of support for Saudi Arabia, which was considering intervention. The next
day the Arab League negotiated another ceasefire, but the fighting escalated. On
March 17, North Yemen and South Yemen signed a ceasefire under the supervi-
sion of the Arab League, and within two days they had withdrawn most of their
troops. The leaders of North Yemen and South Yemen signed an agreement to
work toward unification on March 30.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from July 2, 1978. Fatalities changed from
Missing.
680 YEMEN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC/698 OMAN
MID#1104
Dispute Number: 1104
Date(s): May 5, 1972 to May 25, 1972
Participants: 680 Yemen People’s Republic/698 Oman
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On May 6, 1972, the Omani air force bombed gun positions on the border.
The Oman government claimed that this was in response to South Yemeni artillery fire
killing 10 Omani soldiers. The South Yemen government accused Oman of violating
its airspace. To further neutralize the rebel threat, the Omani government occupied
several posts along the border in the Dhofar region. When it noticed that its post in
Habrut had been destroyed, the Omani military retaliated on May 25, by attacking
a South Yemeni base near Hauf. Further incidents occurred between Oman and the
guerrilla group but none were internationalized.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 6, 1972. Fatalities changed from
Missing.
MID#1105
Dispute Number: 1105
Date(s): November 18, 1973