The Democratic Republic of Yemen in southern Yemen seceded from the Republic of Yemen in 1994. The DRY, with its capital in Aden, was led by President Ali Salim al-Baidh and Prime Minister Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas when their Socialist Party of Yemen demanded a return to the Marxist ideals of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen which had united with the northern Yemen Arab Republic to form present-day Yemen in 1990.

The secession lasted from 21 May until 7 July.