Yemen – UK Relationship

­Yemeni-British relations date back to 1839, when Britain occupied the port of Aden. Aden subsequently became a British Crown Colony and was of considerable strategic, commercial and military importance because of its location along major international maritime routes. British influence later extended to a number of sultanates and emirates in southern Yemen through the Protectorate system and agreements concluded with their rulers.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Aden in 1954. The visit set light on establishing the major projects associated with the colonial period, several of which predated the visit or were developed subsequently. These projects included the Aden Refinery, which was operated by the British Petroleum Company and began production in 1954, the expansion of the Port of Aden, and the construction of Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, later known as Al-Jumhuriya Hospital. Progress was also made in secondary education through institutions such as Aden College and the use of British examination systems, including the General Certificate of Education GCE, which could facilitate access to higher education, including at British universities.

In northern Yemen, relations followed a different course, as the north was not incorporated into the British colonial system. Britain nevertheless maintained diplomatic and political contacts with the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen and, Among the key milestones was the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Co-operation in Sana’a on 11 February 1934. Relations subsequently continued with the Yemen Arab Republic following the 26 September Revolution of 1962.

The British presence in southern Yemen came to an end on 30 November 1967, following the 14 October Revolution in 1963 and the subsequent transfer of power to the National Liberation Front. This marked the beginning of a new phase in relations with the newly independent South Yemeni state.

­The People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen was established in 1970, after the initial establishment of the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen in 1967. Relations with Britain consequently became diplomatic relations between two independent states. ­ Meanwhile, British relations with the Yemen Arab Republic in the north gradually developed in the political and diplomatic spheres, particularly after the end of the principal phase of the civil war in the early 1970s. ­ Britain has maintained a particular interest in Yemen because of its historical ties , and Yemen’s strategic geographical position overlooking the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

­The establishment of the Republic of Yemen on 22 May 1990 marked a historic milestone in Yemeni-British relations, transforming the relationship from dealings with two separate Yemeni states into a direct bilateral relationship with a unified Yemeni state. ­ During this period, political and diplomatic relations developed, while cooperation expanded in the fields of development, education, trade and assistance, alongside security cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts. ­ Britain supported Yemen’s political transition and contributed to international and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving political settlements during the various crises experienced by the country.

Following the events of 2011, Britain supported the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, contributing to efforts to facilitate Yemen’s political transition and support the National Dialogue Conference, both of which were presented as important foundations for building a modern Yemeni state. ­ The Houthi movement’s seizure of Sana’a in September 2014 and the subsequent expansion of its control over state institutions marked a serious turning point in Yemen’s political and security situation and in the course of Yemeni-British relations.

Britain supported the Yemeni government and played a prominent role at the United Nations Security Council, where it has served as the penholder on Yemen. In this capacity, it contributed to the development and adoption of international resolutions addressing the Yemeni crisis, including Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015. ­ Britain has also played an important diplomatic role in supporting United Nations efforts to achieve a political settlement to the conflict in Yemen. ­ British humanitarian and development assistance has remained one of the prominent dimensions of the bilateral relationship, alongside programmes aimed at capacity-building, institutional development and education, including the Chevening Scholarship Programme. ­ The security and strategic dimensions have assumed increasing importance in British policy towards Yemen, particularly in light of threats to international maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the close connection between Yemen’s security, regional stability and global trade. ­ At the present stage, there is a growing need to develop bilateral relations beyond the management of Yemen’s humanitarian and political crisis towards establishing a long-term strategic partnership.