Saud and Yemen” by Lutfi Fouad Al‑Nu‘man:
“The Saudi Promise Extinguishes Yemen’s Volcano”
In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, there are those who turn to history, drawing from its vast ocean rare pearls of knowledge that illuminate the deep bonds between sister nations and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—from the dawn of unification to the era of resolve and renewal.
From this rich historical sea, researcher Lutfi Fouad Al‑Nu‘man extracts factual insights into the depth of the strong ties between the two neighboring sister countries, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, from the monarchical era to the republican period. His latest book, “Saud and Yemen,” examines the history of bilateral relations during the reign of the late King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, highlighting his role in strengthening these ties from his years as Crown Prince until King Faisal assumed the throne.
Jadawel Publishing House in Beirut, which released the book, described it as “a faithful and objective documentation of important stages in Saudi‑Yemeni relations during the reign of King Saud.” The publisher added that Al‑Nu‘man—Yemeni journalist and political researcher specializing in modern Yemeni history and foreign relations—“offers the discerning reader details marked by precise documentation, refined analysis, and an elegant style.” The book presents “a uniquely Yemeni reading of that period, recording King Saud’s activities from the early 1930s until shortly before his death in the late 1960s, and the special attention he devoted to Yemen as a neighboring and strategically important country in the Arabian Peninsula.”
Because “Yemen deserved Saudi care and attention during that period and beyond, that era itself deserved documentation and study.”
Introduction of the Book
Al‑Nu‘man begins with a preface discussing “the connection between the two peoples, and between their leaders and successors, through official correspondence and historic visits.” He highlights King Saud’s visits to Yemen in 1954 during his reign and again in 1967 after leaving power, emphasizing his prominent role in strengthening relations between the two neighbors. The book traces the timeline of Saudi‑Yemeni relations from 1934 to 1967.
He notes that while some aspects of bilateral relations were briefly recorded in valuable references, they were insufficient to replace a comprehensive study that lays out a broad historical narrative revealing the hidden dimensions of this distinguished relationship.
He also explains the extensive time required to collect and analyze the material, aiming to correct inaccuracies, clarify objectives, and fill gaps in existing publications. His approach, he states, seeks “objective scrutiny and calm assessment, free from preconceived positions, correcting mindsets shaped by past disputes, old grievances, and the resentments of the powerless.”
He concludes the preface by thanking the King Saud Foundation, Princess Fahda bint Saud, and several Yemeni and Arab documentation centers, as well as all who assisted in providing references and photographs that enriched the book.
Historical Background
The first chapter presents a historical background beginning with early signs of contact between the leaderships of both countries. It highlights the wisdom of the founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who proposed fostering communication between the younger generations of both nations—independent of their elders—through his correspondence with Imam Yahya Hamid Al‑Din.
The chapter reviews King Saud’s telegrams regarding the 1934 war, the subsequent Arab efforts to halt the conflict, and the evolution of relations following the Treaty of Taif and other agreements that formed an Arab alliance among the three monarchies of the time: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Yemen. It also recounts King Abdulaziz’s sincere advice to Imam Yahya on addressing Yemen’s internal affairs.
The narrative continues through the two kingdoms’ cooperation in establishing the Arab League, and the Saudi position on the pivotal 1948 events in Yemen, including the assassination of Imam Yahya and the stance of King Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Saud, who ascended the Saudi throne in 1953.
King Saud Visits Yemen
The second chapter is devoted to King Saud’s historic visit to Yemen—the first Saudi royal visit to the country. It examines coverage by Umm Al‑Qura newspaper, Yemeni press commentary, and poetic tributes commemorating the visit.
It also includes the joint official statement issued by King Saud and Imam Ahmad bin Yahya Hamid Al‑Din, which addressed political coordination, King Saud’s role in reconciling members of the Yemeni ruling family, and the Saudi promise of economic support—fulfilled through the visit of a Saudi economic delegation led by Rasim Al‑Khalidi in January 1955.
The 1955 Coup and King Saud’s Response
As Yemen stood “on the mouth of a volcano,” the eruption came with the 1955 coup. The third chapter examines “King Saud’s position on the coup,” presenting documents that demonstrate his efforts to stabilize the Yemeni situation.
It reviews official statements from the Royal Court during visits by Yemeni delegations led by Ahmad Mohammed Al‑Nu‘man, and Egyptian delegations led by Hussein Al‑Shafe‘i, as well as the dispatch of a Saudi delegation headed by Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz to Yemen.
The chapter also covers King Saud’s reception of Prince Mohammed Al‑Badr, the exchange of telegrams between the Saudi monarch and the Yemeni prince, Arab press commentary on Saudi Arabia’s concern for Yemen, and British reports on King Saud’s continuous monitoring of Yemeni developments and his engagement with Yemeni reformists to bring viewpoints closer together.
Historical Turning Points
Another major turning point discussed in the fourth chapter is the Jeddah Conference and Imam Ahmad’s visit, which brought together King Saud, Imam Ahmad, and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, culminating in the signing of the Tripartite Jeddah Pact, which drew international attention and Yemeni support.
The fifth chapter highlights various forms of Saudi‑Yemeni cooperation after the Jeddah Pact, including Saudi support for anti‑colonial movements in southern Yemen, coordination at the Beirut Solidarity Conference, the stance on the Eisenhower Doctrine (1957), and Yemeni celebrations marking King Saud’s accession anniversary.
Bilateral Relations During the Yemen–United Arab Republic Union
The sixth chapter addresses temporary crises that arose during Yemen’s union with the United Arab Republic, while emphasizing that the prevailing tone of relations remained friendly. Saudi Arabia continued to respond to Yemeni concerns, maintain communication between leaders, and provide assistance during natural disasters affecting Yemen.
Conclusion of the Book
The narrative proceeds to the 1962 revolution, the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic, and the involvement of external actors to the point of threatening Saudi borders. The Kingdom supported the legitimacy of Imam Al‑Badr at the time.
The eighth chapter highlights “King Saud and Republican Yemen,” describing the situation during his participation in the first Arab Summit in Cairo (January 1964) and his visit to Yemen in 1967.
Al‑Nu‘man concludes his book—produced with exceptional effort—with appendices of documents and photographs illustrating the evolution of Saudi positions toward Yemen and Yemenis as they laid down their arms and began building peace through national consensus and the understanding and encouragement of their neighbors.