2 63304/D.1144 60m 3/56 P.I. Gp. 1144-1. THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited. It is issued for the personal use of.. . C . TOP SECRET Copy No COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT MUST NOT BE MADE WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY, CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE 0.0.5.(57)42 13TH FEBRUARY, 1957 CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE SITUATION ON THE ADEN/YEMEN BORDER Report by the Chiefs of Staff We have prepared a short appreciation of the present situation and likely developments on the Aden/Yemen border and the adequacy of the forces available. PRESENT SITUATION 2. In much of the den Protectorate, including all the Eastern part, the situation is quiet. Hostilities, however, have continued and increased in parts of the Vestern Protectorate adjoining the Yemen frontier, mainly on the borders of the Amirate of Dhala and the Amirate of Beihan. These two states have been subjected to raids by Yemeni tribesmen supported in some cases by Yemeni regular troops. In both States Yemeni subversion by gifts of money, arms and ammunition has continued to incite dissident elements to rebellion and to hostile incursions from places within the Yemen, where they are harboured by the Yemeni authorities, 3. Hostile raids have been resisted by Protectorate security forces, including those of the Protectorate Rulers concerned, reinforced when necessary by the Royal Air Force and British land forces. Fighting in these encounters has not been serious and casualties on our side have been small. Action has recently been taken by British and local forces and air craft to clear two villages in Beihan which were occupied by the Yemenis in December. 4. The ambush which recently caused casualties to a patrol of the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders was carried out by dissident elements within the Protectorate and punitive action has now been taken against their village. LIKELY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS 5. The latest J.I.C. assessment of the situation on the Yemen/Aden Protectorate border is that the continuance of the present scale of intensity of operations will depend on two factors. Firstly, the degree of success or otherwise TOP SECRET
