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Explanation
The frontier between the two states is undefined. The Saudis
are hostile to the embryonic or potential democracy of the Yemen,
as well the Communist past of the south, which has left a legacy
of non-traditional customs in the south (such as equality for
women and lack of respect for royalty).
The Yemen is stronger in terms of a population which is hard
working and poor. Its army is probably more efficient than the
Saudi army. In the long run the Yemen may prove to be a more
cohesive power than Saudi Arabia whose main cohesion comes from
the oil money.
The Saudis possess American weaponry but may not be good at
using it. The Yemenis possess morale and an agricultural economy.
Saudis massed troops on the borders early 1995. Probably bluff.
Shortly after Saddam Hussain invaded Kuwait the Yemen ambassador
failed to support the Saudi and American demands in the UN. Saudi
Arabia then expelled all Yemeni workers, sending several hundred
thousand home and crippling the economy.
Civil War
The two Yemens fought again. Signs of war in May 1994 quickly
grew into conflict, which showed that the two states had not
combined. There are rumors that money from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
had been used for arms, perhaps to prevent the establishment
of a non-monarchical state by encouraging existing rivalries
which might otherwise have been resolved. It might also be delayed
revenge for Yemen's UN vote against military attack on Iraq during
the Kuwait crisis. North Yemen won and controlled the combined
state.
Bandit activity continues, by for example, kidnapping tourists
for ransom to persuade the government to give aid to the tribe.
Among the bandit activity can be found sympathisers of Osama
bin laden (of Yemeni origin). It was from Yemen that an Osamist
attack occurred on a US warship in Aden.
There are reports in November 2009 of Saudi air strikes on
targets in the disputed border region, killing Yemenis.
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