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Saada صَعْدَة
City
SaadaLocation in Yemen
Coordinates: 16°56′24″N 43°45′33″E / 16.94000°N 43.75917°E / 16.94000; 43.75917
Country	Yemen
Governorate	Saada
District	Saada
Government
• Type	Houthis
Elevation	1,836 m (6,024 ft)
Population
• Total	51,870
Time zone	UTC+3 (Yemen Standard Time)
Climate	BWh

Saada (Arabic: صَعْدَة, romanized: Ṣaʿda), located in the northwest of Yemen, is the capital and largest city of the governorate bearing the same name, as well as the administrative seat of the eponymous district. The city lies in the Serat (Sarawat) mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters. As of 2004, it was the tenth-largest city in Yemen, with an estimated population of 51,870.

The map of Yemen has included Saada since the reign of the Ma'in Kingdom, the earliest known kingdom in Yemen's history.

Saada is one of the earliest medieval cities in Yemen. It is considered the birthplace of the Shiite sect of Islam in Yemen and served as the base of the Zaydi Imam of Yemen. From the early 9th century to the 20th century, the Rassid dynasty—the longest-reigning dynasty in Yemen's history—prospered in Saada. The dynasty's direct line was replaced by the collateral Qassem dynasty at the end of the 16th century.

Saada is also the stronghold of the Houthis and the birthplace of the Houthi movement. It has been under Houthi control since the conclusion of the Yemeni revolution and was the first city to break away from Yemen's central government during the ongoing Yemeni crisis.

History

Founding and Middle Ages

Around the 14th century BC, the Ma'in people established the first kingdom in Yemen's history, the Ma'in Kingdom, in what is now Al Jawf Governorate, the eastern neighboring province of present-day Saada Governorate. At its peak, the Ma'in Kingdom extended from Hadhramaut in the south to Hejaz (Hijaz) in the north. The region where Saada is located was also part of the Ma'in Kingdom's territory.

After the decline and fall of the Ma'in Kingdom in the 7th century BC, Saada became part of the Kingdom of Sheba, the Kingdom of Himyar, the Aksum Empire in Ethiopia, the Sassanid Dynasty of the Persian Empire, and later the Arabian Empire. Less than four years after the establishment of the Abbasid Dynasty, the second dynasty of the Arab Empire, the people of Yemen, dissatisfied with the tyranny of the empire's governor, staged uprisings in the Saada region in the north and the Hadhramaut region in the south. However, these uprisings were ultimately suppressed by Abbasid authorities.

During the later period of the Abbasid Dynasty, central authority became nominal as warlords fragmented the empire. Various regions, including Yemen, established independent or semi-independent regimes under the nominal rule of the caliphate in Baghdad.

In the early 9th century, a saint and theologian from Medina, Al-Qasim al-Rassi—a descendant of Hasan ibn Ali, the second Shia Imam—formulated the teachings of Zaidism, a Shiite sect. By the late 9th century, Al-Qasim's grandson, Yahya bin Hassan, sought to spread Zaidism in Yemen. In 893, Yahya traveled to northern Yemen to promote Zaidism but initially failed to gain local support and returned to Medina.

In 896, tribal leaders from the Saada and Howran regions of northern Yemen invited Yahya to mediate local tribal conflicts. In 897, Yahya returned to Saada with his uncle Muhammad bin Qasim and other followers. Successfully resolving the conflicts, Yahya gained the support and allegiance of the tribes, who embraced him as their leader, bestowing upon him the title Imam Hadi ("Imam" and "Hadi" both mean "leader" in Arabic).

Imam Hadi Yahya founded the city of Saada, establishing a theocratic regime that integrated state and religion. Saada became the birthplace and stronghold of the Zaydi sect in Yemen. Today, Zaydis remain one of Yemen's most influential Islamic sects. Saada is also the earliest surviving city with a distinct Arab-Islamic architectural style.

Since Imam Hadi Yahya hailed from the Ras Hills in Medina, his grandfather, Al-Qasim al-Rassi, earned the title "Rassi" (Arabic for "one who lives in the Ras Hills"). This gave rise to the dynasty's name, the "Rassi Dynasty." The Rassi Dynasty, which ruled Yemen from 893 to 1962, was the longest-reigning dynasty in the country's history, lasting over a thousand years. Saada is recognized as the birthplace of the Rassi Dynasty.

Since its founding in the Middle Ages, Saada has served as a key trading hub, facilitating the export of goods from northern Yemen to what is now Saudi Arabia. Caravans traveling along the spice route passed through villages surrounding Saada.

The medieval old city of Saada was constructed using traditional methods, showcasing its historical heritage. Surrounding the old city is a bustling new town, characterized by typical streets, garage-like workshops, and Arabian-style shops, reflecting the region's vibrant culture and economy.

After the death of Imam Hadi Yahya, his sons successively served as Imams. However, the teachings of the Zaydi sect allow for the selection of any holy descendant—a term referring to descendants of Muhammad from the Hashemite family—as Imam, meaning the position is not strictly hereditary. Despite this, the vast majority of Yemen's Imams have been descendants of the Rassi Dynasty (and later the collateral Qasim Dynasty since 1597).

The Yemeni Imamate ruled intermittently, with its authority challenged by foreign powers such as the Fatimid Caliphate, the Ayyubid Dynasty, the Mamluk Sultanate, and the Ottoman Empire. It also faced competition from native Yemeni dynasties like the Rasulid and Tahirid Dynasties, leading to periods where the Rassi Dynasty's rule was interrupted.

Although Saada’s status as the capital of the Imamate was often overshadowed by other cities, such as Sana’a, Shibam, Zabid, or Taiz, the mountainous northwestern region of Yemen, where Saada is located, remained the Imamate’s final stronghold throughout its history.

North Yemeni independence and Yemeni unification

The Ottoman Empire was defeated and disintegrated during World War I, and the northern region of Yemen, including Saada, gained full independence in 1918. Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din, the Imam of the Qasim Dynasty and leader of the Zaydis, proclaimed the establishment of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, incorporating his title "Mutawakkil" into the country's name.

In September 1962, the "Freedom Officers" organization, led by Abdullah al-Sallal, launched a military coup in the capital, Sana'a, to overthrow the Qasim Dynasty and establish the Yemen Arab Republic. The Qasim royal family and monarchist forces initially fled from Sana'a to the northern mountainous region centered around Saada, before seeking refuge in neighboring Saudi Arabia. There, they joined forces with northern tribes that supported the royal family, sparking a prolonged crisis. This led to eight years of civil war in North Yemen.

Yemen's monarchists were supported by Saudi Arabia, a fellow monarchy, while the republicans received backing from the United Arab Republic, led by President Nasser, who sent troops to North Yemen to assist the republic in resisting the monarchist faction.

During the civil war, Saada, the former royal base and stronghold of the Zaydis, became a key town in the struggle between the republicans and monarchists. On February 18, 1963, Egyptian Vice President and Defense Minister Field Marshal Amer commanded the North Yemen Republican Army to capture the city of Saada, and it has been under republican control ever since.

Although the republican and monarchist factions alternated between offensive and defensive positions, the republican forces, even when at a disadvantage, successfully repelled monarchist attacks on Saada and defended the city.

In July 1970, the civil war in North Yemen came to an end with the republican faction securing the final victory. The Arab Republic of Yemen was subsequently recognized by the international community, including Saudi Arabia.

On May 22, 1990, the Arab Republic of Yemen in the north and the Democratic People's Republic of Yemen in the south announced their unification, forming the Republic of Yemen. Since then, Saada has remained under the rule of the Republic of Yemen.

The northwestern mountainous area, with Saada and its surrounding regions at its core, remained economically neglected despite being the base of the former royal family and the Zaydi faction. Even after the formal unification of the country, the government of the Republic of Yemen failed to develop the region, and local authority remained absent.

At the same time, Yemen's northern population, including Saada, is predominantly Zaydi, and has long been at odds with the Sunni-dominated south. Although President Saleh, who unified Yemen, was from the Zaydi faction in the north (formerly the Arab Republic of Yemen), he relied on the support of neighboring Saudi Arabia during the 1994 civil war to defeat the separatist forces in the south. After the war, however, the Zaydi faction voiced concerns that the Saleh government allowed the Wahhabis, who dominate Saudi Arabia, to exert too much influence in Yemen.

Houthi insurgency, Yemeni revolution, and Yemeni civil war

In 2004, an insurgency against Saleh's government was launched in Saada, led by the Houthi movement. The Houthi movement, formerly known as "Youth of Belief," was founded in 1992 in Saada province by Hussein al-Houthi, a religious and military leader from the Sadah Zaydi Houthi tribe.

Hussein al-Houthi, a former member of Yemen's House of Representatives and an outspoken opponent of Saleh's government, began preparing for an armed rebellion in 2004. However, on September 10 of that year, he was killed during a battle between Yemeni government forces and his followers in Saada province.

Following his death, Hussein al-Houthi's supporters renamed the "Youth of Belief" organization to the "Houthi Movement" in his honor. The group's official name was later changed to "Ansar Allah" (meaning "Supporters of Allah") to reflect their devotion to their cause.

In 2009 and 2010, the conflict between the Houthi movement and Saleh's government persisted, including a major military offensive known as Operation Scorched Earth in the Saada Governorate. This offensive forced 20,000 refugees to flee to Saada City and marked Saudi Arabia's first direct involvement in the conflict.

In February 2010, the Houthis accepted the government's ceasefire proposal. By April, a United Nations team was permitted to enter Saada City to assess the situation.

In early 2011, as the Arab Spring protests swept across the region, Yemen witnessed widespread demonstrations against President Saleh's attempts to amend the constitution and extend his 32-year rule. This period, marked by the "Day of Dignity" massacre, became known as the "Revolution of Dignity." The Houthis seized this opportunity to re-emerge, reigniting their rebellion.

On February 27, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi movement and brother of the late Hussein al-Houthi, publicly declared his support for the anti-government demonstrators. In February and March, thousands of protesters marched weekly in Saada, from the old city gate to the barracks of government security forces.

On March 18, government snipers opened fire on demonstrators participating in a large-scale protest in the capital, Sana’a, resulting in significant casualties. This event, known as the "Day of Dignity," sparked nationwide outrage and led to mass defections from the government.

In response to these events, on March 19, Houthi fighters entered the city of Saada, initiating the Battle of Saada. Fierce clashes ensued between the Houthis and the forces of Sheikh Othman Mujalli, a pro-government tribal leader. By March 24, the Houthis had taken control of Saada city. Local officials and tribal leaders loyal to the government fled to Sana’a, while the Houthis established military checkpoints at the city's entrances.

On March 26, the Houthis appointed Fares Manaa, a prominent arms dealer and former ally of President Saleh, as the new governor of Saada province. They also announced the formation of a government entirely independent of the central authority in Sana’a, making Saada the first city to break away from the central government during the ongoing Yemeni crisis.

Saada has remained under Houthi control since the end of the Battle of Saada. In March 2015, the Houthis, having already seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and consolidated their power, announced their intention to overthrow the remnants of President Hadi’s government, which had fled to the south. Their goal was to unify the country under their rule, which ultimately triggered a new phase of civil war in Yemen.

During the new civil war, Yemen was subjected to airstrikes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition of Arab forces intervening in the conflict.

One of the targets was the Imam Hadi Mosque in Saada, which suffered severe damage. The mosque is considered the oldest Shiite mosque in the Arabian Peninsula and the third oldest in Yemen.

In October 2015, coalition airstrikes also destroyed a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Saada, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

In January 2022, a Saudi-led coalition airstrike targeted a prison in Saada, resulting in the deaths of at least 87 people.

Environment

Geography

The northwestern mountainous area of Yemen where Saada is located in the Serat (Sarawat) Mountain area, which belongs to the remnants of the Asir Mountains (southern Hijaz Mountains) extending southward to Yemen, adjacent to Yemen. The plateau area in the northeastern part of Yemen, generally belongs to the tropical desert climate (Köppen climate classification: BWh), hot, dry and water-deficient, mainly animal husbandry. From a geological point of view, the northern area of the central Yemen mountains where Saada is located is a horst formed by crystalline rocks.

Climate

Sa'dah has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification: BWh).

Fauna

Saada lends its name to the Yemen rock gecko (Pristurus saada), a reptile found in northwestern Yemen.

Demographics

In 2004, Saada had an estimated population of 51,870 (49,422 according to official statistics), making it the tenth-largest city in Yemen at the time. In 2013, Saada's population was estimated at 70,203 people.

Transportation

There is Saada Airport in the northwest of Saada (IATA code: SYE; ICAO code: OYSH), which has a runway of about 3,000 meters long and has no scheduled passenger flights. Saada Airport is one of Yemen's main airports operating domestic routes. Saada has a road leading to the capital Sanaa through Amran Governate. During the civil war in North Yemen, The monarchist armed forces repeatedly blocked this road between Sanaa and Saada to prevent republican control. There are also cross-border highways in Saada to Dhahran in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia, and cross-border highways to Najran, the capital of Najran Province, Saudi Arabia.

Culture

Saada is one of the oldest medieval cities in Yemen and is of great significance to Yemen's historical, architectural, urban and spiritual values. Saada has been a stronghold of the Zaydis since the city was founded by Imam Hadi Yahya in the late 9th century. The ancient city of Sada has been prosperous for a long time. The buildings in the city continue to follow the architectural style of the Middle Ages without interruption and have a very typical land structure that represents the entire region. The wall of the ancient city of Saada is about 3,000 meters long and 4 meters thick. There are 52 watchtowers and 16 city gates on the city wall, the most famous of which are the "Yemen Gate" and the "Najlan Gate". There is an iron ore slag mountain in the city, the remnants of the mine artisan workshops are centuries old, and a fortress from the 16th to 18th centuries was built on the hill.

The Zaydis Muslim Cemetery outside the ancient city of Sa’da is the largest and oldest cemetery in Yemen, with countless elaborately carved tombstones erected in the cemetery. Outside the "Yemen Gate", there is an ancient cistern, and there are huge rocks with Neolithic carvings of now-extinct wild animals, as well as ibex and human figures, which are Yemen's oldest rock carvings. There are also four fortresses built outside the ancient city of Saada to guard the city: the three fortresses of Turmus, Alsama, and Sinara, and the fortress of Abra rebuilt by the Ottoman Turks. Ten small villages in the valley outside the city, with beautiful houses surrounded by farmland, vineyards and fruit trees.

There are 14 mosques built from the 10th to the 16th centuries in the ancient city, among which the Imam Hadi Mosque contains the first Zaydis Imam Hadi and his 11 successors. It is the oldest Shi'ite mosque in the Arabian Peninsula and the third oldest mosque in Yemen. It was heavily damaged in an airstrike in May 2015. Hadi Mosque and Nisari Mosque are both considered high-level educational and religious sites and have undeniable architectural value; various domes and minartets of mosques in Saada city are rare and beautiful; in addition, there is a mosque in the city for women to worship.

In 2010, President Saleh announced the construction of Sa'ada University.

Today, the tribes around Saada determine the fate of the city. Every Sunday, customers can buy carrots, carpets, silverware, electronic equipment and many other goods at Saada's market (Sunday Market). Saada is one of Yemen's main mass-market cities, with four bazaars.

Jews in Saada

The residents of Saada are mainly Zayids, but historically, it was also one of the main settlements of Yemeni Jews. Between the 17th and 20th centuries, Jews gathered in large numbers in Yemen, including Saada. At the beginning of the 19th century, there were about 1,000 Jews in the city of Saddah. The Jews, as merchants and craftsmen, especially silversmiths, influenced the fate of Saada economically, contributing to the sustainable construction and development of the city.

Gallery

• Sa'dah's Al-Hadi Mosque
• Islamic structure in Sa'dah

Notable people

• Ameen Jubran, born 1984, founder of Jeel Albena Association for Humanitarian Development
• Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, born 1979, leader of the Houthi movement
• Yahya Saree, born 1970, military spokesman for the Houthi movement
• Issa al-Laith, born 1985, poet and vocalist affiliated with the Houthi movement

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External links

• Encyclopædia Britannica

v t e Yemeni cities and towns by population
1,000,000 and more	Aden Sanaa
100,000-999,999	Dhamar Al Hudaydah Ibb Taiz Mukalla
10,000-99,999	Abs Ad-Dahi 'Amran Ataq Bajil Bayt al-Faqih Al Bayda' Beihan Dimnat Chadir Al Ghaydah Hais Hajjah Al Houta Khamir Al-Mahabischa Al Mahwit Al-Marawi'a Marib Mokha Mudiyah Rada'a Sayyan Seiyun Al-Shihr Socotra Tarim Thula Yarim Zabid Zinjibar
<9,999	Dammaj Habban Al Hajjarah Hutayb Jaʽār Jibla Kawkaban Manakhah Mukayras Saada Shaharah Shibam At Tawilah Wadi Dawan

v t e Tourist attractions in Yemen
World Heritage Sites	Listed Historic Town of Zabid Old City of Sanaa Old Walled City of Shibam Socotra Archipelago Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba Tentative list Archaeological Site of Marib Historic City of Saada The Historic City of Thula The Madrasa Amiriya of Rada Jibla and its surroundings Jabal Haraz Jabal Bura Balhaf/Burum coastal area The Hawf Protected Area Sharma/Jethmun coastal area
Archaeological sites Al Hajjarah Awwam Baraqish Baynun Cisterns of Tawila Haram Kaminahu Ma'rib Marib Dam Maṣna'at Māriya Nahom Nashan Nashaq Sanaa Shabwa Shaharah Shibam Sirwah Timna Zabid Zafar Museums House of Folklore Mukalla Museum National Museum of Yemen Yemen Military Museum Palaces Castles Aljabowbi Castle Cairo Castle Dar al-Bashair Dar al-Hajar Dar al-Shukr Dar as-Sa'd Fort Al-Ghwayzi Ghumdan Palace Palace of Queen Arwa Qu'aiti Sultan Palace Citadel of Rada'a Seiyun Palace Sheba Palace Places of worship Aidrus Mosque Al-Asha'ir Mosque Al-Bakiriyya Mosque Al-Hadi Mosque Al-Mahdi Mosque Al-Muhdhar Mosque Al-Qalis Church Al Shohada Mosque Al Tawheed Mosque Alansar Mosque Albolaily Mosque Alemaan Mosque Ashrafiya Mosque Barran Temple Great Mosque of Sanaa Grand Synagogue of Aden Hanthel Mosque Jennad Mosque Mudhaffar Mosque Qubbat Bayt Az-Zum Mosque Queen Arwa Mosque Saleh Mosque St. Francis of Assisi Church St. Mary Help of Christians Church Talha Mosque Temple of Awwam Protected area The Hawf Protected Area Bura Community Protected Area Dhamar Montane Plains Mahjur Traditional Reserve Jabal Bura Valley Forest National Park Ras Isa Marine Park Socotra Island Protected Area Zuqur Islands Marine National Park Others Al-Aidarous gate Amiriya Madrasa Yemen Gate Big Ben Aden Sanaa Turkish Memorial Cemetery Shaharah Bridge Sira Fortress

• Populated places in Saada Governorate
• Cities in Yemen