Insurrection of İmam Yahya of the Zaydis in Yemen during the reign of Ottoman Empire (1904-1914)

Imam Yahya was born in Sanaa province of Yemen in 1286 AH. He received his first education from his father Imam Mansur and then continued his education under the teachings of prominent figures of that era in different regions of Yemen. After having finished his studies under the surveillance of famous scholars, Yahyawas to become the new Zaydi imam of Yemen in 1904 after the death of his father. As he assumed a religious and political identity by taking the title "Imam", Yahya started to play very active role in politics. After assuming the title of imam in 1904, he firstly started a resistance against the Ottomans that he proclaimed to be his enemies. After this first attempt during 1904-1905, he attempted on an insurrection against Ottoman government towards the end of 1910. After long fights between the forces of Ottoman Empire and Imam Yahya during this second attack, the parties decided to settle the issue by treaty and signed Treaty of Daan in October 1911. While the problems of Imam Yahya with Ottoman government were solved in the short run with this treaty, theunrest in Yemen continued for some time. After the Treaty of Daan, Imam Yahya didn't cooperate with organizations that were against Ottoman government in Yemen during World War I and maintained his dependency on the Ottoman ruler. After Armistice of Mudros, Imam Yahya took over the administration of northern regions of Yemen. Keywords: Arabian Peninsula, Arabian Nationalism, Red Sea, Yemen, Sect, Shia, Zaydi, Zaidiyyha Sect, Imam, Imamate, Şâki-i Mahûd (Bandit), Imam Yahya, Treaty of Daan.