Area Code 285 – Lahj

Overview of Area Code 285 (Lahj, Yemen)

Area code 285 is the geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Lahj Governorate in the Republic of Yemen. This code is part of the national numbering plan administered under the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, with the full international dialing prefix +967 285. The code covers the administrative capital, Lahij (also spelled Lahj or Lahej), and its surrounding districts, including Al Houta, Tuban, and Al Madaribah. As a geographic code, it is tied to the PSTN infrastructure of the region, although in practice, some numbers may be routed over VoIP backbones.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Lahj from within Yemen, the national trunk prefix 0 is used before the area code, followed by the local subscriber number. The local numbers typically consist of 7 digits, making the complete national format 0 285 XXX XXXX. For international callers, the country code +967 is used, and the leading trunk prefix is dropped, resulting in the format +967 285 XXX XXXX. For example, a local number might be 0 285 123 4567, which would be dialed as +967 285 123 4567 from abroad.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Significance

Lahj Governorate is located in southwestern Yemen, bordering the Gulf of Aden to the south and the Taiz Governorate to the north. The area code 285 is essential for routing calls to government offices, businesses, and residential lines in the region. The governorate is known for its agricultural production, particularly in the fertile Tuban delta, and its proximity to the port city of Aden, which is only about 30 kilometers away. This proximity sometimes leads to confusion with Aden's area code (2), but 285 is specifically designated for Lahj's fixed-line network.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T operational bulletin, there is no overlay code for Lahj; the 285 code is the sole geographic code for the region. However, due to the ongoing telecommunications infrastructure development in Yemen, some numbers may be migrated to VoIP or mobile services. Callers should be aware that mobile numbers in Yemen are non-geographic and begin with 7 (e.g., +967 7XX XXX XXX), so 285 is exclusively for fixed lines. When dialing from a mobile phone within Yemen, it is necessary to include the trunk prefix 0 before the area code, even if the caller is in the same region, unless the network automatically handles the prefix.

Instructions for Callers

• Local callers (within Yemen): Dial 0 285 XXX XXXX.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then 967 285 XXX XXXX (omit the leading 0).
• Emergency and special services: Use the national emergency numbers (e.g., 199 for police) rather than area code 285.

For the most accurate and up-to-date dialing instructions, always consult your telecom provider, as routing may vary depending on network agreements and the current situation in Yemen.