Master’s Thesis Defense at the Faculty of Arts on Ottoman Administration in Yemen

A master’s thesis defense was held at the Faculty of Arts, University of Kirkuk, presented by history student Fatima Juma Salman Khalaf, titled "The Ottoman Administration in Yemen, 1538–1635."

The thesis examined Yemen’s geopolitical position, which made it a focal point for colonial power struggles, prompting the Ottoman Empire to intervene in 1538 to secure the Red Sea and the Hejaz. The Ottoman administration faced structural challenges, including Zaydi resistance and inconsistent governance between reform and corruption, which weakened central control.

The study concluded that the Ottoman annexation of Yemen in 1538 aimed to counter the Portuguese threat and safeguard the Red Sea and the Hejaz. However, a combination of factors contributed to the rise of the Zaydi rebellion under Imam Al-Qasim, evolving through phases of negotiation and armed conflict. This ultimately led to the Ottoman withdrawal in 1635, making Yemen the first Arab province to regain independence from Ottoman rule.