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Abdurrahman al-Iryani
(1908- ) President of North Yemen 1967-1974.
Iryani's main achievement was to bring an end to the civil war that had raged the country since the republican coup in 1962. He also initiated the process towards unification of the two Yemeni states. This would materialize 18 years long process.
Biography
1908: Born in Sa'ada into a notable Zaydi family.
1948: Participates in an unsuccessful coup against Imam Ahmad bin Yahya, and is sentenced to 6 years in prison.
1954: After his release, Iryani leaves for Cairo, Egypt. Here he is part of founding the Free Yemen movement.
1962 September: With the start of the North Yemen Civil War, Iryani returns home to fight against the king.
— Is appointed Minister of Justice in the new republican government.
1964: Is appointed Minister of Local government.
1965: Becomes member of the Republican Council of Yemen, where he is central in cooperating with tribal chiefs.
1966 September: President Sellal is let out of his house arrest in Cairo, Egypt, and upon his return his rivals are purged, including Iryani.
1967 December: During a visit to Moscow (former Soviet Union), President Sallal is overthrown. A 5-member Republican Council is formed with Iryani as chairman, hence president of North Yemen.
1970 March: Iryani manages to make the two sides of the civil war come to an agreement, and bring the war to an end.
1971 March: Iryani is confirmed as president by a Consultative Council.
1972: Following clashes between North and South Yemen, Iryani reaches an agreement with the leadership of South Yemen to work towards a unification of the two countries.
1974: A bloodless coup staged by Ibrahim Hamdi removes Iryani from power. He goes into exile in Lebanon, later Syria.
1981 October: Iryani is allowed to return home to Yemen by President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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