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Treaty of
Taif (1934)
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1934 Saudi-Yemen War ended with the signing of
the Treaty of Taif, on May 20, 1934. Below is
the text of this treaty. Though this peace
agreement ended the war, tensions and conflicts
between the two Arab nations would continue into
the 21st Century. See
also: Taif, May 20,1934 In the Name of God the Merciful, the
Compassionate. His Honourable Majesty the Imam
Abdul Aziz Abdurrahman-al-Feysal al-Saud, King
of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom on the one part,
and His Honourable Majesty the Imam
Yahya-bin-Muhammad Hamiduddin, King of the
Yemen, on the other part. Being desirous of ending the state of war
unfortunately existing between them and their
Governments and peoples; And of uniting the Islamic Arab nation and
raising its condition and maintaining its
prestige and independence, And in view of the necessity of establishing
firm treaty relations between them and their
Governments and countries on a basis of mutual
advantage and reciprocal interests; And wishing to fix the frontiers between
their countries and to establish relations of
good neighbourship and ties of Islamic
friendship between them and to strengthen the
foundations of peace and tranquillity between
their peoples and countries; And being desirous
that there should be a united front against
sudden mishaps and a solid structure to preserve
the safety of the Arabian peninsula: Have resolved to conclude a treaty of Islamic
friendship and Arab brotherhood between them and
for that purpose have nominated the following
representatives plenipotentiaries on their
behalf. [Here follow the names.] Their Majesties the two Kings have accorded
to their above-mentioned representatives full
powers and absolute authority; and their
above-mentioned representatives, having perused
each other's credentials and found them in
proper form, have, in the name of their Kings,
agreed upon the following articles: Article 1: The state of war existing between
the Kingdom of the Yemen and the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia shall be terminated as from the
moment of signature of this treaty, and there
shall forthwith be established between Their
Majesties the Kings and their countries and
peoples a state of perpetual peace, firm
friendship and everlasting Islamic Arab
brotherhood, inviolable in part or whole. The
two high contracting parties undertake to settle
in a spirit of affection and friendship all
disputes and differences which may arise between
them, and to ensure that a spirit of Islamic
Arab brotherhood shall dominate their relations
in all states and conditions. They call God to
witness the goodness of their intentions and
their true desire for concord and agreement,
both secretly and openly, and they pray the
Almighty to grant them and their successors and
heirs and Governments success in the continuance
of this proper attitude, which is pleasing to
the Creator and honourable to their race and
religion. Article 2: Each of the two high contracting
parties recognises the full and absolute
independence of the Kingdom of the other party
and his sovereignty over it. His Majesty the
Imam Abdul Aziz-bin
Abdurrahman-al-Feysal-al-Saud, King of the Saudi
Arabian Kingdom, acknowledges to His Majesty the
Imam Yahya and his lawful descendants the full
and absolute independence of the Kingdom of the
Yemen and his sovereignty over it, and His
Majesty the Imam Yahya-bin-Muhammad Hamiduddin,
King of the Yemen, acknowledges to His Majesty
the Imam Abdul Aziz and his lawful descendants
the full and absolute independence of the Saudi
Arabian Kingdom and his sovereignty over it.
Each of them gives up any right he claimed over
the any part or parts of the country of the
other party beyond the frontiers fixed and
defined in the text of this treaty. His Majesty
the Imam King Abdul Aziz abandons by this treaty
any right of protection or occupation, or any
other right, which he claimed in the country
which, according to this treaty, belongs to the
Yemen and which was (formerly) in the possession
of the Idrisis and others. His Majesty the Imam
Yahya similarly abandons by this treaty any
right he claimed in the name of Yemeni unity or
otherwise, in the country (formerly) in the
possession of the Idrisis or the Al-Aidh, or in
Najran, or in the Yam country, which according
to this treaty belongs to the Saudi Arabian
Kingdom. Article 3: The two high contracting parties
agree to conduct their relations and
communications in such a manner as will secure
the interests of both parties and will cause no
harm to either of them, provided that neither of
the high contracting parties shall concede to
the other party less than he concedes to a third
party. Neither of the two parties shall be bound
to concede to the other party more than he
receives in return. Article 4: The frontier line which divides
the countries of the two high contracting
parties is explained in sufficient detail
hereunder. This line is considered as a fixed
dividing boundary between the territories
subject to each. The frontier line between the two Kingdoms
begins at a point half way between Midi and Al
Muim on the coast of the Red Sea, and (runs) up
to the mountains of the Tihama in an easterly
direction. It then turns northwards until it
ends on the north-west boundary between the Beni
Jama'a and (the tribes) adjacent to them on the
north and west. It then bends east until it ends
at a point between the limits of the Naqa'a and
Wa'ar, which belong to the Waila tribe, and the
limits of the Yam. It then bends until it
reaches the pass of Marwan and Aqaba Rifada. It
then bends eastwards until it ends, on the east,
on the edge of the boundary between those of the
Hamdan-bin-Zaid, Waila, etc, who are outside
Yam, and Yarm. Everything which runs on the
right-hand side of the above-mentioned line,
which runs from the point mentioned on the sea
shore up to the end of the borders on all sides
of the mountains mentioned, shall belong to
Yemen, and everything to the left of the
above-mentioned line shall belong to the Saudi
Arabian Kingdom. On the Yemen side are Medi,
Haradh, part of the Harth tribe, Mir, the Dhahir
Mountains, Shada, Dhay'a, part of the Abadil,
all the country and the mountains of Razih,
Manbah, with Arwa-al-Amshaykk, all the country
and the mountains of Beni Jama'a,
Sahar-ash-Sham, Yabad and its neighbourhood, the
Maraisagha area of the Sahar-ash-Sham, the whole
of Sahar, Naqa'a, Wa'ar, the whole of Waila, and
also Far with Aqabat Nahuqa, the whole of
Hamdan-bin-Zaid, which is outside Yamand Wad'a
Dhahran. These mentioned, and their territories
within their known limits, and all between the
said directions and their vicinities, the names
of which are not mentioned and whichwere
actually subject to or under the control of the
Yemeni Kingdom before the year 1352, are on the
Yemeni side and belong to the Yemen. On the
left-hand side are Muim, Wa'lan, most of the
Harth, the Khuba, the Jabri, most of the Abadil,
all Faifa, Beni Malik, Beni Haris, the Al Talid,
Qahtan, Dhahran, Wadi'a, all the Wadi'a Dhahran,
together with the pass of Marwan, and Aqaba
Rifida, and the area lying beyond on the east
and north of Yam and Najran, Hadhim, Zur Wada,
all the Waila in Najran, and all below the Aqaba
Nuhuqa, up to the edges of Najran and Yam on the
east, all these, and their territories within
known limits, and all between the named
directions and their vicinities which have not
been mentioned by name, and which were actually
subject to or under the control of the Saudi
Arabian Kingdom before the year 1352, are on the
left-hand side of the said line and belong to
the Saudi Arabian Kingdom. Everything mentioned
regarding Yam, Najran, Hadan, Zur Wad'a, and all
the Waila in Najran, is in accordance with the
decision (tahkim) of His Majesty the Imam Yahya
to His Majesty King Abdul Aziz as regards Yam,
and the judgement (hukm) of His Majesty King
Abdul Aziz that all of it should belong to the
Saudi Arabian Kingdom; and while the Hadan and
Zur Wad'a and the Waila in Najran belong to
Waila, and, except in so far as has been
mentioned, do not come within the Saudi Arabian
Kingdom, this shall not prevent them or their
brothers of Waila from enjoying mutual relations
and intercourse and the usual and customary
co-operation. This line then extends from the
end of the above-mentioned limits between the
edges of the Saudi Arabian tribes and of those
of the Hamdam-bin-Zaid, and all the Yemeni
tribes who are outside Yam. All the borders and
the Yemeni territories up to the end of the
Yemeni frontier in all directions belong to the
Yemeni Kingdom; and all the borders and
territories up to the end of their boundaries,
in all directions, belong to the Saudi Arabian
Kingdom. All points mentioned in this article,
whether north, south, east or west, are to be
considered in accordance with the general trend
of the frontier line in the directions
indicated; often obstacles cause it to bend into
the country of one or other Kingdom. As regards
the determination and fixing of the said line,
the separating out of the tribes and the
settlement of their diras in the best manner,
these shall be effected by a committee formed of
an equal number of persons from the two parties,
in a friendly and brotherly way and without
prejudice, according to tribal usage and
custom. Article 5: In view of the desire of both high
contracting parties for the continuance of peace
and tranquillity, and for the non-existence of
anything which might disturb the thoughts of
these two countries, they may mutually undertake
not to construct any fortified building within a
distance of 5 kilometres on either side of the
frontier, anywhere along the frontier line. Article 6: The two high contracting parties
undertake immediately to withdraw their troops
from the country which, by virtue of this
treaty, becomes the property of the other party,
and to safeguard the inhabitants and troops. Article 7: The two high contracting parties
undertake to prevent their people from
committing any harmful or hostile act against
the people of the other Kingdom, in any district
or any route ; to prevent raiding between the
Bedouin on both sides; to return all property
which is established by legal investigation,
after the ratification of this treaty, as having
been taken; to give compensation for all damage,
according as may be legally necessary, where
crimes of murder or wounding have been
committed; and severely to punish anyone proved
to have committed any hostile act. This article
shall continue operative until another agreement
shall have been drawn up between the two parties
as to the manner of investigating and estimating
damage and loss. Article 8: The two high contracting parties
mutually undertake to refrain from resorting to
force in all difficulties between them, and to
do their utmost to settle any disputes which may
arise between them, whether caused by this
treaty or the interpretation of all or any of
its articles or resulting from any other cause,
by friendly representations; in the event of
inability to agree by this means, each of the
two parties undertakes to resort to arbitration,
of which the conditions, the manner of demand,
and the conduct are explained in the appendix
attached to this treaty. This appendix shall
have the force and authority of this treaty, and
shall be considered an integral part of it. Article 9: The two high contracting parties
undertake, by all moral and material means at
their command, to prevent the use of their
territory as a base and centre for any hostile
action or enterprise, or preparations therefor,
against the country of the other party. They
also undertake to take the following measures
immediately on receipt of a written demand from
the Government of the other party: a) If the person endeavouring to foment
insurrection is a subject of the Government
which receives the application to take measures,
he should, after the matter has been legally
investigated and established, receive a
deterrent punishment which will put an end to
his actions and prevent their recurrence. b) If the person endeavouring to foment
insurrection is a subject of the Government
making the demand over to the Government making
the demand. The Government asked to surrender
him shall have no right to excuse itself from
carrying out this demand, but shall be bound to
take adequate steps to prevent the flight of the
person asked for, and in the event of the person
asked for being able to run away, the Government
from whose territory he has fled should
undertake not to allow him to return, and if he
does so, to arrest him and hand him over to his
Government. c) If the person endeavouring to foment
insurrection is a subject of a third Government,
the Government to which the demand is made and
which finds the person in its territories shall,
immediately and directly after the receipt of
the demand of the other Government, take steps
to expel him from its country, and to consider
him as undesirable and to prevent him from
returning. Article 10: The two high contracting parties
agree not to receive anyone who has fled the
jurisdiction of his Government, regardless of
circumstances, and are bound to return any
fugitives who cross the border to theirown
Government. Article 11: The two high contracting parties
undertake to prevent their Amirs, Amils and
officials from interfering in any way with
subjects of the other party, and to prevent any
disturbance or misunderstandings arising from
such actions. Article 12: Each of the two high contracting
parties recognises that the people of all areas
accruing to the other party by virtue of this
treaty are subjects of that party. Each of them
undertakes not to accept as his subjects any
person who is subject to another party except
with the consent of party. Article 13: Each of the two high contracting
parties undertakes to announce a full and
complete amnesty for all crimes and hostile acts
which may have been committed by any person who
is a subject of the other party. Similarly, each
of the two high contracting parties undertake to
issue a full, general and complete amnesty to
those of his subjects who have taken refuge or
joined with the other party in any manner. Article 14: Each of the two high contracting
parties undertakes to return the property of
those it pardons, in accordance with the laws of
the country. They similarly undertake not to
retain any goods or chattels belonging to
subjects of the other party. Article 15: Each of the two high contracting
parties undertakes not to intermeddle with a
third party of any kind in any matter which may
injure the interests of the other party in any
way. Article 16: The two high contracting parties,
who are bound by Islamic brotherhood and Arab
origin, announce that their two nations are one
nation, that they do not wish evil to anyone,
and that they will do their best to promote the
interests of their nation, intending no
hostility to anyone. Article 17: In the event of any external
aggression on the country of one of the two high
contracting parties, the other party shall be
bound to carry out the following
undertakings: a) To adopt complete neutrality secretly and
openly. b) To co-operate mentally and morally as far
as possible. c) To undertake negotiations with the other
party to discover the best way of guaranteeing
the safety of that party. Article 18: In the event of insurrection or
hostilities taking place within the country of
one of the high contracting parties, both of
them mutually undertake as follows: a) To take all necessary effective measures
to prevent aggressors or rebels from making use
of their territories. b) To prevent fugitives from taking refuge in
their countries, and to expel them if they do
enter. c) To prevent his subjects from joining the
rebels and to refrain from encouraging or
supplying them d) To prevent assistance, supplies, arms and
ammunition reaching the enemy or rebels. Article 19: The two high contracting parties
announce their desire to improve and increase
communications and trade between the two
countries, and to reach a customs agreement. Article 20: Each of the two high contracting
parties declares his readiness to authorise his
representatives and delegates abroad, if such
there be, to represent the other party, whenever
the other party desires this, in any matter or
at any time. It is understood that whenever
representatives of both parties are together in
one place they shall collaborate to unify their
policy to promote the interests of their two
countries, which are one nation. It is
understood that this article does not restrict
the freedom of either side in any manner
whatsoever in any of its rights. Similarly, it
cannot be interpreted as limiting the freedom of
either of them or of compelling either to adopt
this course. Article 21: The contents of the agreement
signed on 5 Shaban, 1350, shall in any case be
cancelled as from the date of ratification of
this treaty. Article 22: This treaty shall be ratified and
confirmed by Their Majesties the two Kings in
the shortest possible time. It shall come into
force as from the date of the exchange of the
instruments of ratification, except as regards
what has been laid down in Article 1, relative
to the ending of the state of war immediately
after signature. It shall continue for 20
complete lunar years. It may be renewed or
modified during the six months preceding its
expiry. If not renewed or modified by that date,
it shall remain in force until 6 months after
such time as one party has given notice to the
other party of his desire to modify it. Article 23: This treaty shall be called the
'Treaty of Taif". It has been drawn up in two
copies in the noble Arabic language, each of the
two high contracting parties having one
copy. SUMMARY OF ARBITRATION COVENANT Each of the two high contracting parties
agree to refer to arbitration in the case of
dispute within one month of receiving such a
demand for arbitration from the other party. The
arbitration committee shall be composed of equal
numbers selected by each party, and decisions
will be made on the basis of a majority vote.
Decisions of the arbitration committee shall be
immediately binding and the costs of arbitration
will be shared.
Copyright
© 1998-2008 Roger A. Lee and History Guy
Media; Last Modified: 06.28.08 "The
History Guy" is a Registered Trademark. Citation Lee, R. "Wars
and Conflicts of Yemen (1914-Present)" http://www.historyguy.com/saudi_yemne_treaty_of_taif_1934.htm Pages
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