Italy's Policy Toward Yemen 1918-1945

Abstract

Italy's policy towards Yemen is an important part of the political history of the southwestern Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea, and one of the axes of international relations in the modern era, and those relations have been associated with the growing role of Italy in the period between the two world wars, and it emerged as a superpower trying to enter the arena of competition The colonialist region in the Red Sea and southern Arabia, along with the major powers on the one hand, and the crowding out of Britain, which occupies southern Yemen on the other hand, as well as the motives and goals that Italy sought to achieve in controlling the Red Sea and protecting its interests represented by colonies in Africa, especially the colony of Eritrea. It is a favor in Yemen and its attempt to draw close to Imam Yahya Hamid al-Din by recognizing his rule and concluding agreements with him, providing military aid to stabilize his position, and providing aid in the economic and social fields.

The research is divided into five sections. The first one is devoted to talking about Italian ambitions to control Yemen and the entrances to the Red Sea during the modern era. The second topic sheds light on Italy’s policy towards Yemen after the end of the First World War 1918-1925, while the third topic sheds light on The treaty concluded between Italy and the Mutawakkil Kingdom of Yemen, and the international position on it, its results and the motives for its conclusion, while the fourth topic focused on studying the nature of Italian - Yemeni relations after the conclusion of the treaty between them, and the joint cooperation, political, military, economic and social assistance provided by Italy to Yemen in the framework of the Italian - Yemeni treaty, As for the fifth topic, it explained in a simple way the impact of the Second World War 1939-1945 and the results that resulted from the defeat of Germany and its allies, including Fascist Italy in the war, as it lost its colonies in East Africa (Eritrea and parts of Somalia) and the elimination of its dream of controlling Yemen and the sea entrances. Red from Bab al-Mandab side.