Yafa was the seat of the ancient Himyarite dynasty, which lasted from 110 BCE to 632 CE when it was fully integrated into the Rashidun Caliphate.

The latter died in July 1891, and his nephew, Sultan Ahmed bin Ali, was elected as his successor.

The Government of India sanctioned the continuance to him, with effect from 20 July 1891, of the annual stipend of 250 dollars enjoyed by the late Sultan.

[1] In 1873 hostilities broke out between the Yafai and the Fadhli, in consequence of the Yafai Sultan having repudiated an engagement, concluded on his behalf by his son and in the presence of the Resident at Aden, whereby he had consented to accept from the Fadhli Sultan a royalty of 25 dollars a year for the use of water for irrigation.

[1] From 1888 to 1893 desultory strife, interrupted by short truces, was carried on with the Fadhli over the water-supply from the Naza channel.

[1] In 1893 Sultan Ahmed bin Ali visited Aden on his way to Mecca, where he died on 27 June.

[1] In 1902 the Fadhli Sultan established a new customs post at Zanzibar and levied dues on Yafai qafilahs.

In 1903 the Resident endeavored to effect a settlement, but the Yafai Sultan refused to attend the conference.

In 1904 the Fadhli attacked Ar Rawa and Khanfar, taking possession of the latter and for a time no settlement was reached; while relations with the Lower Yafai Sultan continued strained, partly owing to his dissatisfaction with the position accorded to certain sections of the Upper Yafai, over whom he was inclined to assert a claim to general suzerainty, and partly to his dissatisfaction with the rank and precedence assigned to himself.

He was succeeded by his cousin, Sultan Muhsin bin Ali, who renewed friendly relations with the Aden Residency, to which he paid periodical visits.

[1] In June 1926 a truce of four years was concluded between the Lower Yafai and Fadhli Sultans.

[1] In June 1929 the Sultan of Lahej settled this long-standing feud and restored Khanfar to the Lower Yafai.

Its last sultan, Mahmūd ibn Aidrūs Al Afīfi, was deposed and his state abolished in 1967 upon the founding of the People's Republic of South Yemen.

[4] There was a second capital in Al Qara where a picturesque palace, the mountain retreat of the Sultan, was located.