Ibb has been occupied since early Islamic
times, and due to its strategical importance, the Ottomans used it as an
administrative centre. It thrived as a market town and the Ottomans established
the Wednesday market in Ibb.Ibb was
governed by a semi-autonomous emir until 1944, when the emirate was abolished.
At times in its history many people have migrated to Ibb from areas of Yemen
which had been experiencing drought, to find work in farming. In the mid 1950s
there was reportedly an outbreak of smallpox in the city.
