TAʾIF, TREATY OF AL-

Treaty that concluded the 1933–1934 border war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The treaty that ended the border war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and set up a framework for peaceful relations was signed in al-Taʾif (Hijaz) in May 1934. After Saudi Arabia's occupation of the port city of Hodeida, Yemen—and under pressure from Great Britain and Italy, which were wary of the extension of Saudi Arabia's power nearer their colonies (Aden and Eritrea, respectively)—King Abd al-Aziz (Ibn Saʿud) and Imam Yahya agreed to settle the border issue. Yemen recognized Saudi Arabia's sovereignty over Asir and the towns of Najran and Jizan and agreed to pay Saudi Arabia an indemnity of 100,000 pounds sterling in gold. In exchange, Saudi Arabia evacuated its forces from Hodeidah and other areas of Yemen it had captured. The border area was to be demilitarized, and its demarcation was outlined from the Red Sea coast to just east of Najran; beyond that point it was undefined. A committee was to be established in order to work out the limits of tribal areas. In addition, the treaty called for the renewal of its terms in twenty years. Its terms were reaffirmed and expanded in a June 2000 international border treaty between the two countries.

see also abd al-aziz ibn saʿud al saʿud; hodeida;yemen.

Bibliography

Tuson, Penelope, and Quick, Emma, eds. Arabian Treaties, 1600–1960. Volume 4. Slough, U.K.: Archives Editions, 1992.

f. gregory gause iii
updated by anthony b. toth