Area Code 656 – Al Baidha

Overview of Yemen Area Code 656

Area code 656 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Al Baidha Governorate in the Republic of Yemen. As part of the national numbering plan, this code routes calls to fixed-line PSTN subscribers within the governorate, which includes the provincial capital Al Baidha City and its surrounding districts. The code is used exclusively for landline services, not mobile or VoIP numbers.

Dialing Formats

To call a fixed-line number in Al Baidha, you must use the correct format based on your location:

• International format (from outside Yemen): +967 656 XXX XXX (replace X with the subscriber's 6-digit number). Example: +967 656 123 456.
• National format (from within Yemen, but outside the Al Baidha area): 0 656 XXX XXX. The leading 0 is the trunk prefix used for domestic calls. Example: 0 656 123 456.
• Local format (within Al Baidha): If your phone line is in the same exchange area, you may be able to dial just the 6-digit subscriber number (XXX XXX). However, due to the increasing use of overlay and unified dialing, it is recommended to always use the full national format to avoid misdialing.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

Al Baidha Governorate is located in central Yemen, bordered by Marib to the north, Shabwah to the east, Abyan to the south, and Ibb and Dhamar to the west. The area code 656 covers the entire governorate, including the city of Al Baidha (the capital) and other districts such as Rada'a, Mukayras, and As Sawma'ah. The numbering plan is administered by the Public Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) of Yemen, which manages fixed-line services.

Caller Instructions

For international callers, always replace the leading 0 of the national trunk prefix with the country code +967. For example, if you are calling from the United States, you would dial 011 (international access) + 967 + 656 + the local number. For callers within Yemen, simply dial 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number. Be aware that Yemen's telecommunication infrastructure may experience service disruptions; always confirm with your service provider for current routing.

Overlay and Numbering Changes

As of 2025, there is no overlay code for Al Baidha; 656 remains the sole geographic code for the governorate. However, due to the ongoing modernization of Yemen's telecom network, it is advisable to check for any future changes in dialing procedures. The ITU-T E.164 standard ensures that the number length is consistent: +967 656 XXX XXX totals 12 digits including the country code.