Emirate of Dhala Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Emirate of Dhala

إمارة الضالع

State of the Federation of South Arabia

early 19th century–1967

Flag

Map of the Federation of South Arabia

Capital

Dhala

Population

• 1946

50,000

• Type

Monarchy

History

• Established

early 19th century

• Disestablished

1967

Succeeded by

South Yemen

Today part of

Yemen

Dhala (also spelled Dhali`), or the Emirate of Dhala, was a small state in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It was part of the British Aden Protectorate, which was a group of states protected by Britain. Later, it joined the Federation of Arab Emirates of the South and then the Federation of South Arabia. The capital city of Dhala was also called Dhala.

History of Dhala
See also

History of Dhala

The rulers of Dhala, called Amirs, controlled an area northwest of the Alawi country. This region was important because a main road to Sanaa passed through it.

Early Rulers and British Ties

In 1872, Amir Shafal bin Abdul Hadi passed away. His nephew, Ali bin Muqbil, became the new Amir. The British government recognized him as the leader.

However, the Turkish authorities also wanted control. They made Amir Ali bin Muqbil agree to their rule. They even sent a Turkish official and soldiers to Dhala. Amir Ali bin Muqbil was later captured by the Turks but managed to escape.

Another leader, Muhammad bin Musaid, was appointed Amir by the Turks. But he was killed. His son, Abdulla bin Muhammad, then took over with Turkish support. This led to a struggle between Abdulla and Ali bin Muqbil.

By 1878, the Turks stopped supporting Abdulla. Ali bin Muqbil became the Amir again. But he lost some villages that had sided with the Turks.

In 1880, Amir Ali bin Muqbil signed an agreement with the British. He started receiving a yearly payment from them. This payment was later doubled.

Changes in Leadership and Tribal Issues

In September 1886, Ali bin Muqbil died. His cousin, Shaif bin Seif, became the new Amir and continued to receive the British payment.

Around this time, a tribe called the Quteibi started causing trouble. They began charging fees on a trade route. In 1884, British soldiers helped the Amir by destroying some forts. The Quteibi then agreed to cooperate.

However, the Quteibi soon became independent again. It wasn't until 1888 that they, along with other tribes, formally accepted the Amir of Dhala as their leader. This happened when British officials helped set up rules for trade fees.

From 1889 to 1900, the Quteibi continued to be restless. They did not follow the agreements. The Turks also started to expand their control into the area.

Border Disputes and British Action

In 1901 and 1902, Turkish forces took control of some areas like Jaleila and Jebel Jeliaf.

In February 1902, British and Turkish officials met in Dhala to decide the border. The Turks claimed large areas. After a year of talks, the Turkish soldiers finally left. In March 1903, the border was officially marked. This included several tribes and villages on the British side.

In November 1903, the British took action against the Quteibi tribe. This was because the Quteibi had attacked a British post.

In November 1904, a new agreement was made with the Amir. He agreed to keep a force of 50 men to help him follow the treaty. For this, he received an extra monthly payment.

In 1906, some tribes, like the Shairi and Ahmedi, rebelled against the Amir. There was some fighting.

In 1907, most British troops left Dhala. The remaining troops and British officials also left later that year.

World War I and Return of the Amir

On December 22, 1911, Amir Shaif died. His oldest son, Nasr bin Shaif, became the new Amir. He continued to receive the British payment.

When World War I started in 1914, Amir Nasr sided with the Turks when they entered the Aden Protectorate. After the war, he asked for forgiveness from the British. He came to Aden in November 1919 and explained his actions. He was pardoned.

However, while he was in Aden, the Imam of Sanaa (another ruler) took control of Dhala.

In January 1920, Amir Nasr, with help from local tribes and money and weapons from the British, attacked Dhala and took it back. But he lost it the next day due to a counterattack. He had to flee.

The British government increased the Amir's payment in 1920 and 1926. This was to help him because he was in exile and had lost money.

Continuing Conflicts and British Support

In 1920, the Imam's troops also invaded the Quteibi area. The Quteibi leader, with help from other tribes and British weapons, drove them out. The Imam's forces tried many times to take the Quteibi land, but the local tribes fought back strongly.

However, in 1922, the Quteibi leader eventually gave in to the Imam's pressure. His British payment was then stopped.

In November 1927, the Quteibi leader, Muhammad Salih al Akhram, died. His grandson, Shaikh Hasan Ali, took over. He refused to follow the Imam, and the British government restored his payment.

In February 1928, some of the Imam's forces kidnapped the Alawi Shaikh and an uncle of the Quteibi Shaikh. They were later released after the British Royal Air Force took action against the Imam.

This air action weakened the Imam's forces. In July 1928, a group of local tribes, with help from the Royal Air Force and British troops, drove the Imam's forces out of the area, including Dhala. The Amir of Dhala was immediately put back in charge of his capital. The Imam's forces did not try to recapture these places again.

In 1931, the Dhala region had about 50,000 people. The yearly income was estimated at about 35,000 rupees.

Joining Federations and End of the Emirate

The Emirate of Dhala was one of the first members of the Federation of Arab Emirates of the South in 1959. Later, in 1963, it joined the Federation of South Arabia.

The Radfan Hills, which were part of the Dhala area, saw heavy fighting in the mid-1960s. This was during the Aden Emergency, when British forces fought against local tribes.

The last ruler, Emir Shafaul ibn Ali Shaif Al Amiri, was removed from power in 1967. The state of Dhala was then ended when the People's Republic of South Yemen was formed.

Since 1990, the area of Dhala has been part of the modern country of Republic of Yemen.

Rulers of Dhala

The leaders of Dhala were known by the title Amir Dali`.

List of Emirs

.... - .... Shafa`ul al-`Amiri
.... - .... Ahmad ibn Shafa`ul al-`Amiri
.... - .... al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-`Amiri
.... - .... `Abd al-Hadi ibn al-Hasan al-`Amiri
1839? Musa`id ibn al-Hasan al-`Amiri
.... - January 1872 Shafa`ul ibn `Abd al-Hadi al-`Amiri
April 1872 - 1873 `Ali ibn Muqbil al-`Amiri (first time)
1873 - December 1873 Muhammad ibn Musa`id al-`Amiri
January 1874 - April 1874 `Ali ibn Muqbil al-`Amiri (second time)
April 1874 - March 1878 `Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-`Amiri
March 1878 - September 10, 1886 `Ali ibn Muqbil al-`Amiri (third time)
September 1886 - December 22, 1911 Sha´if ibn Sayf al-`Amiri
December 1911 - 1920 Nasir ibn Sha'if al-`Amiri (first time)
1920 - 1928 Haydara ibn Nasir al-`Amiri
July 1928 - 1947 Nasir ibn Sha'if al-`Amiri (second time)
1947 - 1954 `Ali ibn `Ali al-`Amiri
1954 - August 17, 1967 Shafa`ul ibn `Ali al-`Amiri

Emirate of Dhala facts for kids

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