Ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia, had named himself King of the Nejd, following the collapse of Ottoman Empire power during World War I.

By 1932, Ibn Saud controlled almost all of Arabia, except for Yemen, and the smaller coastal states which were then British protectorates (Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Aden, etc.).

In 1923, Emir Idrissi, the ruler of Asir, maintained an uneasy independence between Nejd, Hejaz, and Yemen.

He was at peace with his traditional rivals in Hejaz, but in dispute with Imam Yahya of Yemen, to the south of Asir.

Ibn Saud's efforts reportedly prompted Imam Yahya to say of him: "Who is this Bedouin coming to challenge my family's 900 year rule?

[14] A communique states that "Ibn Saud has tried all diplomatic means of seeking an agreement, but the last just ruler in Yemen, the Imam has persisted in a policy of oppressing the inhabitants and 'eradicating' all who have not surrendered.

[16] By 9 April, Haradh had been occupied by the Saudi army (except for a single fort, which fell the next day), and Midi was under siege.

The Saudi tribesmen threatened to loot the Indian trading businesses in the city, but were dissuaded by the arrival of British sailors to maintain order.

[26] According to western newspaper reports: "Tehama is part of the principality of Asir, which maintained for a few years subsequent to the Great War a precarious independence between the territory of the Wahabi King Ibn Saud and that of the Imam of Yemen.

In announcing his intention of taking action against Yemen, Ibn Saud's legation in London said: 'The Saudi Government has tried all pacific means through diplomatic channels to come to an agreement with the last just ruler and Imam of Yemen, but he obstinately persists in his aggressive policy by occupying our highlands in Tihamah, oppressing their inhabitants, and eradicating all who do not surrender to his rule.

[29] The King demanded the abdication of the Imam, five years control of the border region, and the expulsion from Yemen of the former rulers of Asir.

[34] It was reported that the Crown Prince of Yemen supported the war, while his father the Imam was in favour of peace.