The Disintegration of Yemeni Nationalism

This paper examines the transformation of Yemeni nationalism from its peak following the country’s unification in 1990 to its gradual disintegration in the ensuing decades. It explores the interplay of factors contributing to the erosion of a once robust national identity, highlighting the significant shift post-1994, the rise of the Southern Movement in 2007, and the escalation of the Yemeni Civil War from 2015 onwards. The paper identifies three concurrent factors that have led to the decline of Yemeni nationalism: The negative shift in the material conditions of the populace, particularly the South. Second, the presence of fragmenting factors like entrenched regional identities. Third, the absence of mitigating factors such as unifying leadership or a common enemy, which could counterbalance divisive elements.