The Imams of Yemen, later also titled the Kings of Yemen, were religiously consecrated leaders belonging to the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam. They established a blend of religious and temporal-political

In Zaydi Islam, the imamate is the supreme political and religious leadership position. In common with other Shi'a sects, it is reserved for Alids—i.e., descendants of Muhammad via Ali ibn Abi Talib a