More information about Yemen is available on the Yemen Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
The United States established diplomatic relations with North Yemen in 1946 and South Yemen in 1967. The North had previously been part of the Ottoman Empire, and the South had been ruled by the United Kingdom. The Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) severed relations with the United States on June 7, 1967 in the wake of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Diplomatic relations were reestablished in July 1972 after a visit to Sana’a by U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers. The U.S. embassy in Aden closed when the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen severed diplomatic relations with the United States on October 24, 1969. In 1970, the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen changed its name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and on April 30, 1990, the United States resumed diplomatic relations with the country. The Yemen Arab Republic and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen unified under the Republic of Yemen in 1990. In 1994 civil war broke out in Yemen over North-South contentions and the country continues to struggle with issues over unification. After reunification Yemen elected Ali Abdullah Saleh, former president of the Yemen Arab Republic, to lead the country.
Demonstrations against former president Saleh in early 2011 led him to step down in November 2011 through a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-brokered initiative , Since then,Yemen has made methodical progress toward implementing its political transition , including the December 2011 formation of a National Consensus Government, the February 2012 election of Abdo Rabo Mansour Hadi as president for the two year transition period, and the March 2013 launch of a six-month National Dialogue – a broad gathering of 565 delegates from across the political spectrum, brought together for the most inclusive discussion of its kind in Yemen’s history.
U.S. Assistance to Yemen
The United States has a strong and growing partnership with Yemen. The people of Yemen are looking to create a new political reality, with a government that is increasingly responsive, accountable, and capable of addressing urgent needs and building a solid foundation for the country’s long-term development, growth, security, and stability. The United States has committed $256 million in assistance to Yemen to date in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, in addition to the more than $356 million allocated in FY 2012. Since the beginning of Yemen’s transition in November 2011, U.S. aid to Yemen has totaled over $600 million.
We support the Yemeni government and people with a comprehensive strategy to promote the political, economic, and security sector reforms underpinning the country’s Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-brokered political transition initiative. Our aid is also focused on partnering with the Yemeni government to meet the critical needs of its citizens. The United States provides humanitarian assistance, delivers economic assistance, supports good governance, encourages expanded political participation, assists with the development of a professional and capable security sector, and provides security assistance to combat the threat of violent extremism. The U.S. government also continues to support the Yemeni private sector and non-governmental partners, in conjunction with the Yemeni government, to improve standards of living, reduce poverty and unemployment, expand infrastructure and access to services by advocating for improved policies and regulations in order to enhance the business investment and operational climate in the country.
For more information on U.S. assistance to Yemen, please visit http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/08/212649.htm.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Energy exports generate the majority of Yemen's governmental revenue. Most U.S. investment in Yemen is in the oil and gas exploration and production sectors. The United States and Yemen have signed a trade and investment framework agreement. The two also have concluded bilateral market access negotiations as part of Yemen's efforts to accede to the World Trade Organization. The bilateral agreement provides new market access opportunities for U.S. providers of agriculture, goods, and services.
Yemen's Membership in International Organizations
Yemen and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. Yemen is in the final stages of its World Trade Organization ascension. Additionally, Yemen is a member of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Yemen also participates in the nonaligned movement; and, although not a member of the GCC, is allowed limited participation in some organizational affairs.
The U.S. Ambassador to Yemen is Matthew H. Tueller; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Yemen maintains an embassy in the United States at 2319 Wyoming Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-965-4760).
More information about Yemen is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Yemen Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Yemen Page
U.S. Embassy: Yemen
USAID Yemen Page
History of U.S. Relations With Yemen
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Page
Travel and Business Information