Wadi Zahr

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Wadi Zahr is a valley in Yemen, just north of Sanaa on the western edge of the Sanaa plain. It has a year-round stream that comes from the eastern slopes of Jabal An-Nabi Shu'ayb. The wadi begins near the village of Suq Bayt Naʽam and runs about 7 km (4.3 miles) east through a steep, narrow gorge before it reaches the plain. The area has fertile soil and has long been strategic, with several forts. The main settlement today is Qaryat al-Qabil.

Name and spellings:
- In Arabic it is Wādī Ẓahr, sometimes written as Wādī Ḍahr (the ḍād or ẓāḥ is a matter of spelling). The name is often pronounced Ẓahr.

Historical significance:
- Wadi Zahr is mentioned many times in medieval and early modern sources.
- It was important for both defense and farming.
- It was a stronghold of the Isma'ilis of the Banu Hamdan tribe, who ruled the area.

Forts and notable sites:
- Fiddah: A steep mountain on the south side of the wadi. The main fort, built by the Hatimi sultan of Sanaa in 1184 (584 AH), sits below the summit on the southern side. At the very top of the mountain was another fort called al-ʽAnqā'. The Fiddah fort stayed in use until the 16th century.
- Taybah: Located west of Fiddah, also on the southern side of the wadi. It was originally called Dawram. The name Taybah appears in records from 1324 (724 AH) and it is described as a frequently contested fortress.
- Munif Fort: Also on the north side of Wadi Zahr. It is now in ruins and is first mentioned in 1386 (788 AH).