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'Najran' (Arabic: 'نجران') is a province of Saudi Arabia, located in the south of the country along the border with Yemen. It has an area of 119,000 km² and a population of 367,700 (1999). Its capital is Najran. Najran is populated by Yam tribe, a strong and brave tribe, since hundreds of years ago. King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, could not force them to enter under his control. Therefore, he made an agreement with them to give them the freedom to practice their religious activities and they accepted being a part of Saudi Arabia. A large proportion of the population belongs to the Isma'ili branch of Shi'ie Islam. In April 2000, armed Shiites in Najran rose up against Saudi security forces charging that the Saudi government had failed to commit to the agreement between the Najranis and King Abdulaziz.

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★ Greater Yemen