[1] While a military aid treaty was signed in August 1968, Yemen under the leadership of Qahtan Al-Shaabi was not yet a close partner to the Soviet Union, which competed with China for influence over the country.

The Soviet Union played an important role in shaping South Yemen's society through education, military assistance, and ideological alignment.

[2] South Yemen embraced socialist principles and viewed the USSR as a key partner in promoting scientific socialism and proletarian internationalism.

[2] Soviet advisers were present across South Yemen, with a 1977 United States congressional report estimating that more than 1,000 were involved in military and ideological training.

[6][7][4] Beyond military benefits, South Yemen provided diplomatic support for the Soviet Union in international organizations such as the United Nations, as well as within the Non-Aligned Movement.

[10] Other Socialist countries are also represented; Bulgaria, for example, cooperated in running tourist hotels and in agriculture, Cuba in poultry farms, and East Germany in construction.