The Soviet position on political developments in the northern part of Yemen 1974-1977

Abstract

This study deals with the attitude of the Soviet Union towards the 1974 movement in the northern part of Yemen and its impact on the relations of the two parties until the assassination of al-Hamdi in 1977. We tried to concentrate on the local, regional and international dimensions that affected the adoption of this position by the Soviet Union, and then determining the nature of the relationship between the two parties. Especially because of the great importance of North Yemen to the Soviet Union, after which it is an important area close to one of its important areas of influence represented in the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, in addition to its proximity to the richest petroleum areas, which are one of the vital interests of the United States of America and promised from its areas of influence .Therefore, the Yemeni Arab Republic (North Yemen) formed a barrier for both the Soviet Union and the United States of America, separating their areas of influence. Therefore, the Soviet Union tried to be always present in the Yemeni arena, and to play a greater role in the events, but it continued its usual policy in North Yemen, which is not to show any hasty reaction to any of the events, and this is what we noticed towards the developments that occurred in the Yemeni Arab Republic When Ibrahim Al-Hamdi made his corrective movement on the thirteenth of June 1974.The Soviet Union did not show a great interest in Al-Hamid’s arrival to power, However, Al-Hamdi's behavior alerted the Soviet Union to the necessity of maintaining and keeping the relations with the Yemeni Arab Republic, even though at its lowest levels. That’s because his aim was getting closer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially in the first year of his rule. By doing this, they were trying to preserve the Republic of Yemen of falling under the influence of the Western military and the danger of that on their influence in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.