In 1940, the Aden Protectorate was divided for administrative purposes into the Eastern Protectorate and Western Protectorate with its own Political Officer, stationed at Lahej from 1 April 1937 to 1967, for some separation of administration.
The Western Protectorate included:
- Alawi
- Aqrabi
- Audhali
- Beihan
- Dathina
- Dhala
- Qutaibi Dependence of Dhala
- Fadhli
- Haushabi
- Lahej
- Lower Aulaqi
- Lower Yafa
- Shaib
- Upper Aulaqi Sheikhdom
- Upper Aulaqi Sultanate
- Upper Yafa Sultanate and the five Upper Yafa sheikhdoms of:
- Al-Busi
- Al-Dhubi
- Hadrami
- Maflahi
- Mawsata
