Crater (Aden)
Crater, also Kraytar, is a district of the Aden Governorate, Yemen. Its official name is Seera. It is situated in a crater of an ancient volcano which forms the Shamsan Mountains. As of 2003, the district had a population of 76,723 people.
Etymology
The city's name, Crater, derives from the English word of the same meaning, given by the Britons during their colonization of Aden, which is situated on an inactive volcano.History
Modern history
In the closing days of British rule in 1967, Crater District became the focus of the Aden Emergency, sometimes called the last imperial war. After a mutiny of hundreds of soldiers in the South Arabian Federation Army on 20 June, all British forces withdrew from Crater. Crater was occupied by Arab fighters while British forces blocked off its two main entrances.In 3 July 1967, the Battle of Crater began with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders commanded by Lt-Col Colin Mitchell performing a night invasion of Crater, which he termed Operation Stirling Castle, after the Argylls' regimental headquarters. The National Liberation Front was taken by surprise, and effective resistance ceased. A particular sign of Mitchell's confidence was his decision to order the pipe band to march down the main street of Crater, playing regimental tunes, for which the Pipe major was mentioned in despatches. British troops remained in Crater until the end of the Emergency.
Tourist views
- Sira Fortress
- Cisterns of Tawila
- Aden lighthouse
- Bab Aden
- Gate of Aden
- Legislative Council of Aden
- Aban Mosque
- Aidrus Mosque
- Abdali Sultan Palace