Saada (Arabic: صَعْدَة, romanized: Ṣaʿda), located in the northwest of Yemen, is the capital and largest city of the governorate bearing the same name, as well as the administrative seat of the eponymous district.

In the early 9th century, a saint and theologian from Medina, Al-Qasim al-Rassi—a descendant of Hasan ibn Ali, the second Shia Imam—formulated the teachings of Zaidism, a Shiite sect.

[2][3] Since its founding in the Middle Ages, Saada has served as a key trading hub, facilitating the export of goods from northern Yemen to what is now Saudi Arabia.

Surrounding the old city is a bustling new town, characterized by typical streets, garage-like workshops, and Arabian-style shops, reflecting the region's vibrant culture and economy.

However, the teachings of the Zaydi sect allow for the selection of any holy descendant—a term referring to descendants of Muhammad from the Hashemite family—as Imam, meaning the position is not strictly hereditary.

The Yemeni Imamate ruled intermittently, with its authority challenged by foreign powers such as the Fatimid Caliphate, the Ayyubid Dynasty, the Mamluk Sultanate, and the Ottoman Empire.

[5] The Ottoman Empire was defeated and disintegrated during World War I, and the northern region of Yemen, including Saada, gained full independence in 1918.

Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din, the Imam of the Qasim Dynasty and leader of the Zaydis, proclaimed the establishment of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, incorporating his title "Mutawakkil" into the country's name.

In September 1962, the "Freedom Officers" organization, led by Abdullah al-Sallal, launched a military coup in the capital, Sana'a, to overthrow the Qasim Dynasty and establish the Yemen Arab Republic.

The Qasim royal family and monarchist forces initially fled from Sana'a to the northern mountainous region centered around Saada, before seeking refuge in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

[8] The northwestern mountainous area, with Saada and its surrounding regions at its core, remained economically neglected despite being the base of the former royal family and the Zaydi faction.

Even after the formal unification of the country, the government of the Republic of Yemen failed to develop the region, and local authority remained absent.

After the war, however, the Zaydi faction voiced concerns that the Saleh government allowed the Wahhabis, who dominate Saudi Arabia, to exert too much influence in Yemen.

[10] Hussein al-Houthi, a former member of Yemen's House of Representatives and an outspoken opponent of Saleh's government, began preparing for an armed rebellion in 2004.

[11][12] In 2009 and 2010, the conflict between the Houthi movement and Saleh's government persisted, including a major military offensive known as Operation Scorched Earth in the Saada Governorate.

[14][15] In early 2011, as the Arab Spring protests swept across the region, Yemen witnessed widespread demonstrations against President Saleh's attempts to amend the constitution and extend his 32-year rule.

[17] On March 18, government snipers opened fire on demonstrators participating in a large-scale protest in the capital, Sana’a, resulting in significant casualties.

Local officials and tribal leaders loyal to the government fled to Sana’a,[22] while the Houthis established military checkpoints at the city's entrances.

[23] On March 26, the Houthis appointed Fares Manaa, a prominent arms dealer and former ally of President Saleh, as the new governor of Saada province.

In March 2015, the Houthis, having already seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and consolidated their power, announced their intention to overthrow the remnants of President Hadi’s government, which had fled to the south.

[25][26][27][28] In October 2015, coalition airstrikes also destroyed a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Saada, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

During the civil war in North Yemen, monarchist forces repeatedly blocked this road to prevent republican control over the route between Sanaa and Saada.

The ancient city of Saada has long been prosperous, with its buildings continuing to follow medieval architectural styles and preserving a distinctive urban layout that represents the region.

Outside the "Yemen Gate," there is an ancient cistern, as well as large rocks with Neolithic carvings depicting now-extinct wild animals, ibex, and human figures.

The area also includes ten small villages in the valley outside the city, characterized by beautiful houses surrounded by farmland, vineyards, and fruit trees.

As merchants and craftsmen, especially silversmiths, the Jewish community influenced the economic fate of Saada, contributing to its sustainable construction and development.