Abdul Rahman Yahya al-Eryani (; 10 June 1910 – 14 March 1998) was a Yemeni politician who served as the second President of the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) from 5 November 1967 to 13 June 1974. Originally a leader of the Free Yemeni Movement opposition group during the time of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, He was eventually overthrown by Ibrahim al-Hamdi and died in exile.
Early life
Abd al-Rahman al-Iryani was born in the village of Iryan in 1910. His father, Yahia al-Iryani, was the Chief Judge of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen and a highly regarded Sharia scholar. His mother, Salwa al-Iryani was well known for her charitable efforts in her village.
Abd al-Rahman started his education in his village Iryan until the age of 16 when he left for the capital Sanaa to study at its famous Sharia School. After a few years, he graduated and worked at the Imam Court until 1937 when he was appointed as a judge for the first time.
According to Yossi Melman of Haaretz, Dorit Mizrahi of the Mishpacha Magazine, and an article in the weekly HaOlam HaZeh, there are allegations that al-Iryani was born Zekharia Hadad to a Yemenite Jewish family in Ibb.
Participation in the Alwaziri coup
Al-Eryani actively opposed the kings of the Kingdom of Yemen, helping to lead the Free Yemeni Movement in pushing for a republic. In February 1948, he participated in the Alwaziri coup against the then ruler of Yemen, Yahya Hamiduddin, aiming at the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. He was imprisoned for about 7 years after the failure of the revolution, which lasted only for 12 days. Al-Eryani was sentenced to death by beheading in 1955 for his activities with the Free Yemeni Movement. However, minutes before his execution, he was granted a reprieve by King Ahmed bin Yahya. He spent a total of 15 years in jail until his release in 1962.