Existed: 1874 - 11 February 1959
Status: British protectorates
Capitals: Mukalla (Eastern Protectorate) and Lahej (Western Protectorate)
Where: Arabian Peninsula
Now: Incorporated into Yemen
- In 1874, arrangements of protection were agreed between Britain and nine tribes ('Aqrabi, 'Alawi, 'Awlaqi, Dali', Fadhli, Hawshabi, Lahej, Subeihi and Yafa') in the hinterland around Aden.
- Over time, treaties were signed to formalise these arrangements, and also arrangements with other tribes - the tribal lands becoming British protectorates, together known as the Aden Protectorates and administered from British-ruled India.
- Between 1886 and 1954, the British signed over 30 agreements with other sheikhdoms and sultanates, thus increasing the extent Aden Protectorates.
- In 1937, the Aden Protectorate was transferred from British-Indian to direct British control. It was administratively divided into the Eastern Protectorate and the Western Protectorate.
- On 11th February 1959, six of the territories within the
Western Protectorate ('Awdhali, Bayhan, Dali', Fadhli, Lower Yafa' and
the Upper
'Awlaqi Sheikhdom) merged to
become the Federation
of Arab Emirates of the South.
- The territories in the Eastern Protectorate, and the remaining territories in the Western Protectoriate instead became the Protectorate of South Arabia.
- Today, the Aden Protectorates are part of the Republic of Yemen.
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