SUMMARY
The Democratic Republic of Yemen was proclaimed in southern Yemen on 21 May 1994 and existed only for a brief period of time until 7 July 1994. The secessionist group was formed following disputes within the Government of Yemen.
The Republic of Yemen was founded on 22 May 1990 when the Arab Republic of Yemen (North Yemen) merged with the People’s Republic of Yemen (South Yemen). North Yemen had been part of the Ottoman Empire since the 19th century, while South Yemen had become a British colony during the same century. Following the end of the First World War, North Yemen gained independence, whereas South Yemen remained under British administration until 1967. During the Cold War, the northern part was more pro-western, while the south had become a pro-Soviet Marxist state. The relations between the two countries were tense at several times and border conflicts took place in 1972 and 1978-1979. After the end of the Cold War, Soviet’s support to the south declined and there was an interest from both sides to unite Yemen. The Parliaments of southern and northern Yemen elected Ali Abdullah Saleh, former President of North Yemen as President, and Ali Salim al-Bid, former leader of South Yemen, as Vice-President.
The northern and southern armies, security forces and civil services bureaucracies, however, remained completely separate after the unification, except for the exchange of the positions of a few military units. When a dispute between the President on the one hand, and the Vice-President and the Minister of Defense (both of which were former southern officials) on the other, was fueled by political assassinations the situation became highly volatile due to these separated armed forces.
The southern parts of Yemen’s Cabinet moved to the southern city of Aden and negotiations between the parties to solve the crisis were held around January 1994. The parties to the negotiations were representatives of the members of Yemens ruling coalition: Salehs General Peoples Congress (GPC), al-Bids Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) and the Yemeni Reform Group (al-Islah). Although President Saleh and Vice-President al-Bid both supported the agreement that followed the talks, neither had signed it before the situation escalated to armed confrontations. Following violent clashes, the Democratic Republic of Yemen was proclaimed in the south on 21 May 1994. The Democratic Republic of Yemen existed until 7 July 1994 when the leadership of southern Yemen fled the country as the last piece of territory under their control fell to the northern forces.
During the course of the conflict, South Arabia reportedly provided military support in the form weapons and planes to the Democratic Republic of Yemen.
The Democratic Republic of Yemen has been involved in the state-based category of UCDP organized violence.
