Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen Like other Arab revolutions in 2011, it is said that Yemen’s rebellion was modeled on street protests in Tunis and Cairo. As this erudite new study explains, however, what happened in Yemen is far from being a mere echo of events elsewhere. In fact, the popular uprisings that came as a surprise in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria were already well under way in Yemen. As early as 2007, this country on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula was embroiled in sit-ins, demonstrations, and open rebellion against the government. The author ably demonstrates how Yemen’s political upheaval is rooted in divisions and conflicts of the past, especially the country’s troubled national unification in 1990. Based on years of in-depth field research, this book unravels the complexities of the Yemeni state and its domestic politics with a particular focus on the post-1990 years. The central thesis is that Yemen continues to suffer from regional fragmentation, which has endured for centuries. En route the book discusses the rise of President Salih, his tribal and family connections, Yemen’s civil war in 1994, the war’s consequences later in the decade, the spread of radical movements after the U.S. military response to 9/11, and finally developments leading to the historic events of 2011. Politics in this strategically important country is crucial for many reasons, not least on account of its links to al-Qaeda terrorism. The United States and Western allies have good reason to regard Yemen as a security risk. This book sets a new standard for scholarship on Yemeni politics and is essential reading for anyone interested in the modern Middle East, the 2011 Arab revolts, and twenty-first-century Islamic politics. Stephen W. Day is Adjunct Professor of Middle East Politics at the Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College. He has written for many journals, including Middle East Journal, Middle East Policy, and Publications of the Carnegie Foundation. © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information Cambridge Middle East Studies 37 Editorial Board Charles Tripp (general editor) Julia Clancy-Smith F. Gregory Gause Yezid Sayigh Avi Shlaim Judith E. Tucker Cambridge Middle East Studies has been established to publish books on the nineteenth- to twenty-first-century Middle East and North Africa. The aim of the series is to provide new and original interpretations of aspects of Middle Eastern societies and their histories. To achieve disciplinary diversity, books are solicited from authors writing in a wide range of fields, including history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and political economy. The empha- sis is on producing books offering an original approach along theoretical and empirical lines. The series is intended for students and academics, but the more accessible and wide-ranging studies will also appeal to the interested general reader. A list of books in the series can be found after the index. © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen A Troubled National Union STEPHEN W. DAY Rollins College © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo, Delhi, Mexico City Cambridge University Press 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013–2473, USA www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107606593 © Stephen W. Day 2012 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 2012 Printed in the United States of America A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Day, Stephen W., 1961– Regionalism and rebellion in Yemen : a troubled national union / Stephen W. Day. p. cm. – (Cambridge Middle East studies ; 37) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-107-02215-7 (hardback) – ISBN 978-1-107-60659-3 (paperback) 1. Regionalism – Yemen (Republic) 2. Government, Resistance to – Yemen (Republic) 3. Yemen (Republic) – Politics and government – 21st century. 4. Yemen (Republic) – Politics and government – 20th century. 5. Yemen (Republic) –Strategic aspects. l. Title. JQ 1842.A38R433 2012 953.30503–dc23 2011039452 ISBN 978-1-107-02215-7 Hardback ISBN 978-1-107-60659-3 Paperback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Web sites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Web sites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. The photograph on the cover depicts the aftermath of a tragic scene in the city of Taiz on May 29, 2011, when Yemen’s republican guard and central security forces stormed “Freedom Square,” where peaceful protesters had camped for months as a rallying point for demonstrations against President Salih’s regime. The invading troops fired live ammunition, including heavy anti-aircraft weapons and RPGs, on unarmed citizens, many of whom had taken shelter in tents that provided shelter whenever they slept in shifts outdoors. During the attack, at least four protesters died, some burned alive inside the tents, including disabled youth unable to flee without their wheelchairs and crutches. Many more people were left with serious injuries. According to the photographer, Wael al-Absi, before capturing this image on his camera, he and others had tried to dissuade the troops from attacking, pleading that all Yemenis are brothers and sisters. But the troops apparently acted under strict orders to carry out their murderous assault. After the injured were rescued, and the corpses of martyrs retrieved, Wael al-Absi snapped this photo of a man using a blanket to extinguish flames engulfing one of many tents that were intentionally ignited by soldiers. The anonymous man struggles as he fans the fire, while seeking to put out the flames. Credit: Wael al-Absi, and Aleshteraki.net newspaper. © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information In memory of the late professor Othman Said Qasim al-Mikhlafi, whose dedication to democratic principles and resistance against government corruption and dysfunction inspired the research contained in this book. May Othman’s children and grandchildren always know the continued value of his work, and one day realize the promise of his vision for a Yemen governed in each province and district for the sake of social justice. © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information Contents List of Tables page xi List of Maps and Photos xiii Preface xv Acknowledgments xix List of Abbreviations xxiii Chronology of Modern Yemeni History xxv Glossary of Names of Key Political Figures xxix Introduction 1 1 Understanding the Regional Divisions of Yemen 22 Regionalism in the Islamic Era 28 Divisions in the Middle Twentieth Century 37 Defining Yemen’s Multiple Regional Divisions 43 2 Two Revolutions, Two Republics 56 Politics of North and South Yemen 60 A Tale of Two Capitals 71 Mirror Opposites 80 3 Salih Family Rules and the Sanhan Tribe 86 The Man from Sanhan 89 A Simple Tribesman as President 93 Mixing Religion and Politics 100 4 Unity in Name Only 107 A Bungled Political Transition 113 Yemen’s 1993 Parliamentary Election 117 Postelection Developments 122 Prelude to Civil War 126 ix © in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-1-107-02215-7 - Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union Stephen W. Day Frontmatter More information x Contents 5 The Spoils of Civil War 129 Postwar Political Conditions 134 Postwar Changes at the Provincial Level 138 Tales of Dahbash 147 Resource Management in the Postwar South 154 6 A Regime