Middle East 525
Participants: 666 Israel/200 United Kingdom, 663 Jordan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: Israel claimed the Aqaba port in the Red Sea, but both Trans-Jordan and
Britain, Jordan’s ally, rebuffed the claim. On January 7, 1949, the Royal Air Force
was conducting routine maneuvers to supervise the truce in Tripolitania when five
planes were shot down by Israeli forces. Israel stated that these planes were carrying
out reconnaissance flights. The Israeli protest letter said that Britain could not be part
of the UN Security Council’s monitoring of the truce because of their interests in the
dispute. Britain responded by moving forces to the area, and on March 9, Israeli forces
clashed with Jordanian troops. After a ceasefire was signed on March 11, Jordan noti-
fied Britain that Israeli forces were moving toward the Red Sea shore, transgressing
Trans-Jordan territory. Britain sent reinforcements to the Aqaba port. A truce between
Israel and Trans-Jordan was signed on April 3, 1949.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from January 7, 1949. End Date changed from
April 4, 1949. Settlement changed from None.
200 UNITED KINGDOM/670 SAUDI ARABIA
MID#3218
Dispute Number: 3218
Date(s): November 28, 1955 to January 30, 1956
Participants: 200 United Kingdom/670 Saudi Arabia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: British military planes violated Saudi Arabian airspace three separate
times. Saudi Arabia protested each action to the United Nations.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 28, 1955.
200 UNITED KINGDOM/678 YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC
MID#604
Dispute Number: 604
Date(s): August 30, 1949 to September 9, 1949
Participants: 200 United Kingdom/678 Yemen Arab Republic
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On August 14, 1949, the Yemenis crossed the border into Jebel Manawa,
about one mile from Nagd Margad, and commenced construction of a fort. The British
controlled the Western Aden Protectorate and protested. On September 2, the British
responded by dropping leaflets on the fort, advising the Yemenis to leave. Bombs
were later dropped in the vicinity and scared them off.