YEMEN-ADEN BORDER HOSTILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000800030018-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Sequence Number: 18
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2008/07/28: CIA-RDP79R00890A000800030018-7
YEMEN-ADEIJ BORDER' HOSTILITIES
9 January 1957
I, We have no confirmation of Cairo press report (9 Jan) that Yemen has
"declared a state of war against Britain." This story appears to be
primarily a propa.ga,nda. move.
A. Yemen claims Aden Protectorate and Colony. Possibility of oil is,
factor in claim.
Ill-defined border region separating two sections Aden
Protectorate from Yemen and Saudi Arabia, is chronic trouble-spot.
Yemeni a,tacks have increased markedly since late November.
C. This activity has been encouraged and abetted by Egypt, the
Soviet Union 25X6
D. The outbreak follows the arrival in Yemen in October of the
initial shipload of Soviet Bloc arms.
E. Counteractions--by native Protectorate levies and British forces--
have been exaggerated in propaganda from Yemen, Egypt and Moscow.
a'. Yemen has protested to the United Nations against British
"aggression", has received assurance of Soviet support there,
London has repeatedly protested to the Yemeni government.
II. In Western Protectorate, Yemeni incursions have involved raids on
frontier villages and outposts and, more recently, on towns further
in from border.
A. Protectorate tribesmen have retaliated against Yemeni villages.
B. In several instances, British-led troops of Protectorate Levies,
and also detachments of Cameron Highlanders, have chased
Yemeni attackers back across border in "hot pursuit."
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Approved For Release 2008/07/28: CIA-RDP79R0089OA000800030018-7
C. RAF jet fighters have also been in action against Yemeni
intruders.
III. In Eastern Protectorate, British-led levies have been deployed
in widely separated areas where dissident activity is expected,
VI. British have capability to hold small Colony of Aden,
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 Approved For Release 2008/07/28: CIA-RDP79R0089OA000800030018-7
I I
A. Given full-scale border warfare from Yemen, the British will
probably not be able to hold all areas of the Protectorate,
B. In addition to tribal forces of the Protectorate sheikdoms, the
British maintain about 1,500 native levies under native
officers, two battalions of British infantry, and small units
of artillery and armored cars (total: 1,900 men).
C. Yemen's "army" numbers about 26,000 poorly trained and led men
25X1
deployed in small units throughout the country. Possibly
100,000 tribal irregulars provide additional manpower.
Approved For Release 2008/07/28: CIA-RDP79R0089OA000800030018-7
 Approved For Release 2008/07/28: CIA-RDP79R0089OA000800030018-7
Approved For Release 2008/07/28: CIA-RDP79R0089OA000800030018-7