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The two regions diverged significantly, with the north developing into a republic in the 1960s following the overthrow of its monarchy. In contrast, the south became the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1967 after an anti-colonial struggle. Despite aspirations for unification based on shared identity and history, tensions mounted over the years, influenced by differing governance systems and political ideologies.
The Unification Dilemma
The Republic of Yemen was established on May 22, 1990, but the initial optimism quickly waned. Dominated by the more populous and economically robust North under President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the South felt marginalized. A rebellion in 1994, aiming to reclaim independence, was swiftly crushed, but aspirations for statehood continued.