As of 2003, the district had a population of 60,331 inhabitants.

[1] Ḥaydan as-Sham (Arabic: حيدان) is the largest town in this northern district, nestled in the mountains, some 24.07 miles (38.74 km) as the crow flies from Sa'dah in a south-westerly direction.

Access is had by travelling overland by four-wheel-drive vehicle and takes more than an hour to reach from Sa'dah because of the high and treacherous terrain.

It was once home to a large Jewish community who have since settled in the land of Israel.

This article about a location in Yemen is a stub.