Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen |
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Stencil cut from metal sheet with Arabic inscription and F.L.O.S.Y. initials, Imperial War Museum; the Arabic text reads jabhat al-taḥrīr, "Liberation Front"
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| Active | 1964 – November 7, 1967 |
| Country |  Federation of South Arabia Protectorate of South Arabia |
| Allegiance |  South Yemen |
| Type | Guerrilla |
| Role | Guerrilla warfare |
| Garrison/HQ | Mountains and deserts of Yemen |
| Equipment | Small arms and dynamite |
| Engagements | Aden Emergency |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Abdullah al Asnag |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Initials "FLOSY" |
The Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY) was an Arab nationalist group. It was a military organization active in the 1960s. This group operated in what was then the Federation of South Arabia. This area was a British protectorate and is now part of Southern Yemen.
FLOSY was formed by Abdullah al Asnag. This happened as the British government was planning to leave the region. FLOSY tried to take control after the British left. However, they faced another military group. This rival group was called the National Liberation Front (NLF).
Why FLOSY Was Formed
Abdullah al Asnag was an important leader. He led the Aden Trade Union Congress (ATUC). This was a large union in the port of Aden and nearby areas.
In the late 1950s, a strong idea called Pan-Arabism became popular. This idea was about uniting Arab countries. It was promoted by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. This idea threatened Britain's control and the local leaders.
To keep control, the British convinced local leaders to join together. They formed the Federation of South Arabia. The Aden Trade Union Congress had a lot of power in this new Federation. To stop the union from taking over, the Colony of Aden joined the Federation in 1962. This added pro-British members to the assembly.
Soon after, a civil war started in Yemen. This war was between forces supported by Egypt, like the National Liberation Front (NLF), and those supported by the British. This conflict spread across the region. It became known as the Aden Emergency. This emergency officially began on December 10, 1963.
The NLF started fighting for power in the Federation of South Arabia in 1964. A new government in the United Kingdom tried to give independence to the Federation. They wanted Abdullah al Asnag to lead the country. But the American President, Lyndon B. Johnson, disagreed. He did not want Britain to leave while the Americans were fighting in the Vietnam War.
How FLOSY Was Created
In 1965, the British took direct control of the Federation of South Arabia. They stopped the local government. Abdullah al Asnag realized the British would not give him power. So, he left the country and joined the NLF.
However, some parts of the NLF became more extreme. They broke away from the Egyptians. Asnag then created his own military group, FLOSY. He formed FLOSY to oppose the NLF.
The NLF quickly said that Asnag and FLOSY were working for outside powers. They fought against the British and also against FLOSY. By February 1967, the British could no longer control their bases in Aden. They announced they were leaving the country, even though America disagreed.
Egypt's President Nasser supported FLOSY. He even arrested the head of the NLF who was living in Egypt at the time. Officially, FLOSY and the NLF refused to talk to the British. They did not want to seem like they were working for the British.
The last British governor of Aden left the country. There was no clear leader to take over. However, secret talks happened between the British and the NLF. They worked together to defeat FLOSY. This was to make sure the Nasser-supported FLOSY would not win.
The End of FLOSY
On November 30, 1967, the Federation of South Arabia ended. The new country, the People's Republic of South Yemen, was created. In 1967, Egypt lost the Six-Day War. This forced Egypt to remove its troops from Yemen. This meant FLOSY lost all military support from its Egyptian allies.
Without Egypt's help, the NLF made an alliance with Yemen's Federal army. This alliance helped them defeat FLOSY. On November 7, 1967, FLOSY suffered heavy losses. They attacked a federal army base alongside the NLF. After this defeat, FLOSY's military forces stopped existing. Some leaders and members remained outside the country.
