Misplaced Pages

Ali Abdullah Saleh: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 19:44, 25 September 2006 editGurch (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers109,955 editsm Reverted edits by 66.246.218.90 (talk) to last version by RichiH← Previous edit Latest revision as of 04:37, 22 December 2024 edit undoIzno (talk | contribs)Checkusers, Interface administrators, Administrators113,371 editsm Reverted edit by Lonzwrfh (talk) to last version by John of ReadingTag: Rollback 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{family name hatnote|lang=Arabic|Al-Ahmar}}
{{current}}
{{Short description|Yemeni
{{Infobox_President
Politician (1942–2017)
| name =Ali Abdullah Saleh<br>علي عبد الله صالح
President of North Yemen, then Yemen (1978–2012)|noreplace}}
| nationality =Yemeni
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
| image =Ali Abdullah Saleh 2004.jpg
{{Infobox officeholder
| caption =President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2004.
| order =6th ] | honorific-prefix = ]
| native_name = {{Nobold|{{lang|ar|علي عبدالله صالح}}}}
| term_start =] ]
| term_end = | office = ]
| deputy = | order =
| image = President Ali Abdullah Saleh (Yemen Arab Republic).jpg
| predecessor =''none''
| successor = | caption = Saleh in 1988
| primeminister = {{ubl|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| birth_date =], ]
| predecessor = ''{{ubl|Office established; {{hanging indent|Himself as ]}}|{{hanging indent|Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas as ]}}}}''
| birth_place =
| successor = Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi
| death_date =
| vicepresident = {{ubl|]|]}}
| death_place =
| office2 = 4th ]
| constituency =
| party =] | predecessor2 = Abdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi
| primeminister2 = {{ubl|Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani|Abd Al-Karim Al-Iryani|Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani}}
| spouse =
| party = ]
| profession =
| religion =] | vicepresident2 = ]
| successor2 = ''Himself as ]''
| signature =
| footnotes = | term_start = 22 May 1990
| order2 =6th ] | term_end = 27 February 2012
| term_start2 =] | term_start2 = 18 July 1978
| term_end2 =] | term_end2 = 22 May 1990
| office3 = Chairman of the ]
| deputy2 =
| term_start3 = 24 August 1982<ref name=herzan2003>{{cite book|last=Al Yemeni|first=Ahmed A. Hezam|title=The Dynamic of Democratisation – Political Parties in Yemen|year=2003|publisher=Toennes Satz + Druck GmbH|isbn=3-89892-159-X|url=http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/01459.pdf|access-date=11 February 2023|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029060419/http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/01459.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| predecessor2 =]
| term_end3 = 4 December 2017<br>] with Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi starting 21 October 2015<ref>{{cite news |author1=Asharq al-Awsat |author2=Muhammad Ali Mohsen |title=The People's Congress meets with Hadi in Riyadh and nominates him as president after Saleh is dismissed |url=https://aawsat.com/home/article/479906/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AD%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8B%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%84-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD |access-date=11 February 2023 |work=] |date=22 October 2015 |location=] and ] |language=ar |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012545/https://aawsat.com/home/article/479906/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AD%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8B%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%84-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Tawfeek al-Ganad |title=Weak and Divided, the General People's Congress Turns 40 |url=https://sanaacenter.org/publications/analysis/18710 |website=Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies |access-date=11 February 2023 |location=] |date=20 September 2022 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012308/https://sanaacenter.org/publications/analysis/18710 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| successor2 =''none''
| predecessor3 = ''Party established''
|}}
| successor3 = ]
Field Marshal '''Ali Abdullah Saleh''' (]: علي عبد الله صالح) (born ], ]) is the current ] of ]. He was ] of the ] (North Yemen) from ] to ] and became president of the new merged state of Yemen in ].<ref>{{cite book
| birth_name = Ali Abdullah Saleh
| last = Dresch
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1947|3|21}}
| first = Paul
| birth_place = Beit al-Ahmar, ], ]
| authorlink =
| death_date = {{death date and age|2017|12|4|1947|3|21|df=y}}
| coauthors =
| title = A History of Modern Yemen | death_place = ], Yemen
| death_cause = ] by ]
| publisher = Cambridge University Press
| spouse = {{marriage|Asma|1964}}
| date = 2000
| children = 7, including ]
| location = Cambridge
| serviceyears = 1958–2017
| pages = 184
| rank = ]
| url =
| battles = {{tree list}}
| doi =
*]
| id = ISBN 052179482X }}</ref>
** ]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
**]
*]
**]
*]
**]
**]
**]
**]
**]
**]{{KIA}}
{{tree list/end}}
| footnotes = <!-- <nowiki>*</nowiki>Chairman of the Presidential Council until 1 October 1994<br /><nowiki>**</nowiki>] served as Acting President from 4 June 2011&nbsp;– 23 September 2011 and again from 23 November 2011&nbsp;– 25 February 2012. -->
| allegiance = {{flag|Kingdom of Yemen}} (1958–1962)<br/>{{flag|Yemen Arab Republic}} (1962–1990)<br/>{{flag|Yemen}} (1990–2017)
| nickname = Affash
}}
{{Ali Abdullah Saleh series}}
'''Ali Abdullah Saleh Affash'''{{Efn|{{langx|ar|علي عبدالله صالح عفاش|translit=ʿAlī ʿAbdullāh Ṣāliḥ ʿAffāsh}}}} (21 March 1947<ref group="note">There is a dispute as to Saleh's date of birth, some saying that it was on 21 March 1942. See: {{cite book |last=Downing |first=Terry Reese |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YtfyBo4CrY0C&pg=PA293 |title=Martyrs in Paradise |date=1 November 2009 |publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=978-1-4490-0881-9}} However, by Saleh's own confession (an interview recorded in a YouTube video), he was born in 1947.</ref>{{Snd}}4 December 2017), commonly known by his last name '''Affash''', was a Yemeni politician and military officer who served as the first ] from the ] in 1990 until his resignation in 2012, following the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riedel |first=Bruce |date=18 December 2017 |title=Who are the Houthis, and why are we at war with them? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163411/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |work=Brookings |language=en-US}}</ref> Previously, he had served as the fourth and last ] (North Yemen), from July 1978 to 22 May 1990, after the assassination of President ].<ref name="google12">{{cite web |title=AFP: Yemen's Saleh formally steps down after 33 years |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iqhKKOqo6XDujeTI_yaD4B0CcyVA?docId=CNG.12cc0199ecc6457c2d2a25874218f73d.691 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525115035/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iqhKKOqo6XDujeTI_yaD4B0CcyVA?docId=CNG.12cc0199ecc6457c2d2a25874218f73d.691 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |access-date=3 March 2012}}</ref> al-Ghashmi had earlier appointed Saleh as military governor in ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aziz |first1=Mr Sajid |date=28 July 2015 |title=Yemen Conundrum |url=http://www.journal.ciss.org.pk/index.php/ciss-insight/article/view/154 |journal=CISS Insight Journal |volume=3 |issue=1&2 |pages=P65–78 |access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref>


Saleh developed deeper ties with ], especially the United States, during the ]. ] may have been used and encouraged by Ali Abdullah Saleh in order to win Western support and for disruptive politically motivated attacks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/8570319/Yemen-defector-says-terror-crisis-was-manufactured-to-win-western-support.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/8570319/Yemen-defector-says-terror-crisis-was-manufactured-to-win-western-support.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Yemen defector says terror crisis was manufactured to win western support|last=Spencer|first=Richard|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 June 2011|access-date=25 February 2019|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="america.aljazeera.com">{{Cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/6/4/informant-claims-former-yemen-leader-worked-with-al-qaeda.html|title=Informant claims former Yemen leader's regime worked with Al-Qaeda|website=america.aljazeera.com|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-date=26 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226045937/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/6/4/informant-claims-former-yemen-leader-worked-with-al-qaeda.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, in the wake of the ], which spread across ] and the ] (including Yemen), Saleh's time in office became increasingly precarious, until he was eventually ousted as President in 2012. He was succeeded by ], who had been serving as vice president since 1994, and acting president since 2011.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Yemen |url=https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/YEMEN_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf |publisher=Oficina de Información Diplomática del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación}}</ref>
Saleh was Yemen's first directly elected president in ], winning 96.2% of the vote, but the main opposition socialist party was barred from the election. The only other candidate, ], is the son of a former President of ] and a member of Saleh's ] (GPC) party. However, Qahtan ran as an independent.<ref name=REVERSAL>, IRIN News</ref> The government-dominated parliament did not allow the other 28 applicants to stand.{{citation needed}}


In May 2015, Saleh openly allied with the ] (Ansar Allah) during the ],<ref name="http://www.aljazeera.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/05/cloneofcloneofcloneofstrikes-yemen-saada-breach--150510143647004.html|title=Yemen's Saleh declares alliance with Houthis|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=27 May 2015|archive-date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528014027/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/05/cloneofcloneofcloneofstrikes-yemen-saada-breach--150510143647004.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in which a protest movement and subsequent insurgency succeeded in ], ], causing President Hadi to resign and flee the country. In December 2017, he declared his withdrawal from his coalition with the Houthis and instead sided with his former enemies – ] and President al-Hadi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/houthi-media-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-sanaa-171204123328290.html|title=Yemen: Ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh killed|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=19 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519214814/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/houthi-media-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-sanaa-171204123328290.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On ], ] a referendum was held and passed, extending presidential terms from five to seven years, parliamentary terms from four to six years, and creating a 111-member, presidentially appointed council of advisors with legislative power. This move prompted the ] ] to downgrade their rating of political freedom in Yemen from 5 to 6.<ref name=FH> Freedom House</ref> Saleh faced his next election in September, ].


On 4 December 2017, during ] between Houthi and Saleh supporters in Sanaa, the Houthis accused Saleh of treason, and he was killed by a Houthi ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-yemen-ali-abdullah-saleh-20171204-story.html|title=Deposed strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh killed after switching sides in Yemen's war|first=Zayd|last=Ahmed|website=]|date=5 December 2017|access-date=7 December 2020|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204180132/https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-yemen-ali-abdullah-saleh-20171204-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Yemen's ousted president 'killed by rebels' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-rebel-leader-former-president-killed-ali-abdullah-saleh-fighting-saudi-arabia-crisis-conflict-latest-a8090721.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241204091445/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-rebel-leader-former-president-killed-ali-abdullah-saleh-fighting-saudi-arabia-crisis-conflict-latest-a8090721.html |archive-date=2024-12-04 |access-date=2024-12-15 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref> Reports were that Saleh was killed while trying to flee his compound in a car; however, this was denied by his party officials, who said he was executed at his house.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saleh-insight/the-last-hours-of-yemens-saleh-idUSKBN1E20YY|title=The last hours of Yemen's Saleh|first=Noah|last=Browning|newspaper=Reuters|date=8 December 2017|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921133916/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saleh-insight/the-last-hours-of-yemens-saleh-idUSKBN1E20YY|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/analysis-yemens-ex-president-salehs-killing-revenge-171204135213663.html|title=Analysis: Yemen's ex-president Saleh's killing was 'revenge'|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204153242/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/analysis-yemens-ex-president-salehs-killing-revenge-171204135213663.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/middleeast/yemen-former-president-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-intl/index.html|title=Yemen's former President Saleh killed in Sanaa|author=Hakim Almasmari, Tamara Qiblawi and Hilary Clarke|access-date=4 December 2017|publisher=CNN|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204143108/http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/middleeast/yemen-former-president-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Saleh announced in July 2005, during the 27th anniversary celebrations of his term in office as President of Yemen, that he would "not contest the (presidential) elections" in September 2006. He expressed hope that "all political parties - including the opposition and the General People's Congress - find young leaders to compete in the elections because we have to train ourselves in the practice of peaceful succession." <ref name=NOCONTEST> Al Jazeera</ref> However, in June 2006 Saleh changed his mind and accepted his party's nomination as the presidential candidate of the GPC, saying that when he initially decided not to contest the elections his aim was "to establish ground for a peaceful transfer of power" but that he was now bowing to the "popular pressure and appeals of the Yemeni people." Political analyst Ali Saif Hasan said had been "sure would run as a presidential candidate. His announcement in July 2005 – that he wouldn’t run – was exceptional and unusual." Mohammed al-Rubai, head of the opposition supreme council, said the president's decision "shows that the president wasn’t serious in his earlier decision. I wish he hadn’t initially announced that he would step down. There was no need for such farce."<ref name=REVERSAL/>


==Early life==
Saleh was reelected in September 2006 with 80 percent of the votes based on a partial vote count in which 17,000 of the 27,000 ballot boxes were counted. Opposition parties dispute the results accusing the government of fraud citing that their candidate lost by a wider margin than predicted. As of 22 September 2006, the opposition has called for large street protests to dispute the election results. <ref>{{cite news|title=Yemeni Opposition Threatens Protest|publisher=Guardian Unlimited|date=22 September 2006|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6099070,00.html}}</ref>
]
Ali Abdullah Saleh Affash was born on 21 March 1947<ref name="UN">{{cite web |title=Security Council 2140 Sanctions Committee Amends Three Entries on Its List, Updates Narrative Summary |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11662.doc.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625172744/https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11662.doc.htm |archive-date=25 June 2021 |access-date=25 June 2021 |website=www.un.org |publisher=United Nations}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 December 2017 |title=Hadha Ma Euthir Ealayh Mae Eali Eabd Allah Salih |script-title=ar:هذا ما عثر عليه مع علي عبد الله صالح |trans-title=This is what was found with Ali Abdullah Saleh |url=https://www.alhurra.com/a/ali-saleh-yemen/405586.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163221/https://www.alhurra.com/a/ali-saleh-yemen/405586.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |website=] |language=ar}}</ref><ref name="UN" /> to a poor family<ref name="AJ bio">{{cite web |date=23 June 2006 |title=الرئيس اليمني علي عبد الله صالح |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/arabic/2006/6/22/الرئيس-اليمني-علي-عبد-الله-صالح |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302150416/https://www.aljazeera.net/news/arabic/2006/6/22/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD |archive-date=2 March 2021 |access-date=5 September 2021 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=ar}}</ref> in Beit al-Ahmar village<ref name="aps">{{cite journal|date=26 June 2006|title=YEMEN&nbsp;– Ali Abdullah Saleh Al-Ahmar|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/YEMEN+-+Ali+Abdullah+Saleh+Al-Ahmar.-a0147921372|journal=APS Review Downstream Trends|access-date=7 April 2011|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020000128/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/YEMEN+-+Ali+Abdullah+Saleh+Al-Ahmar.-a0147921372|url-status=live}} <!--alternate url: http://www.allbusiness.com/sector-21-mining/oil-gas-extraction-crude/1183280-1.html--></ref> (Red House village)<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2017 |title=علي عبدالله صالح.. في صور |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/yemen/2017/12/04/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=العربية |language=ar}}</ref> from the Sanhan ({{lang|ar|سنحان}}) clan (]), whose territories lie some 20 kilometers southeast of the capital, ]. Saleh's father, Abdallah Saleh died after he divorced Ali Abdullah's mother when Saleh was still young.<ref name="AJ bio" /><ref name=day/> His mother later remarried her deceased former husband's brother, Muhammad Saleh, who soon became Saleh's mentor and stepfather.<ref name=day>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7dqsHiTOr_YC&q=%27Ali%27+Abdallah+Salih+Biography |last=Day |first=Stephen W. |title=Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union |year=2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-1070-2215-7 |page=88 |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215135115/https://books.google.com/books?id=7dqsHiTOr_YC&q=%27Ali%27+Abdallah+Salih+Biography |url-status=live }}</ref> Saleh's brother ] was a major general and had three children: ], ], and Ammar, who all served under Saleh during his rule.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.alaraby.co.uk/%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9| title = أقارب المخلوع صالح.. الإقالة في مرحلتها الثانية| access-date = 3 November 2020| archive-date = 2 March 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210302231446/https://www.alaraby.co.uk/%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9| url-status = live}}</ref>
]


Saleh's cousin, ] from the Al Ahmar family, which is also part of the Sanhan clan is often confused with the same-named leading family of the Hashid tribe, with which the Sanhan clan was an ally.<ref name="aps"/> The Hashid tribe, in turn, belongs to the larger Yemeni parent group, the ] tribe. The clans Sanhan and ] are said to be related.<ref name="aps"/>
{{See also|Yemen presidential election, 2006}}


Ali Abdallah Saleh married Asama Saleh in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ali Abdallah Saleh |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/obituary-ali-abdullah-saleh-7qct8ddnx |website=]|date=5 December 2017 }}</ref>


== Military career and rise to the presidency ==
Saleh received his primary education at Ma'alama village before leaving to join the North Yemeni Armed Forces in 1958 as an infantry soldier and was admitted to the North Yemen Military Academy in 1960.<ref name="AJ bio"/><ref name="presidentsaleh.gov.ye">{{cite web|url=http://www.presidentsaleh.gov.ye/shownews.php?lng=en&_newsctgry=2|title=President Ali Abdullah Saleh Web Site|publisher=Presidentsaleh.gov.ye|access-date=18 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219213256/http://presidentsaleh.gov.ye/shownews.php?lng=en&_newsctgry=2|archive-date=19 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Three years later, in 1963, he was commissioned as a ] in ].<ref name=presidentsaleh.gov.ye/> He participated in the Nasserist-inspired ] of 1962, which was instrumental in the removal of King ] and the establishment of the ]. During the ], he attained the rank of major by 1969. He received further training as a ] in the Higher Command and staff C Course in Iraq, between 1970 and 1971, and was promoted to ]. He became a full ] in 1976 and was given command of a mechanised brigade. In 1977, the ], ], appointed him as military governor of ].<ref name=aps/>


After al-Ghashmi was assassinated on 24 June 1978, Colonel Saleh was appointed to be a member of the four-man provisional presidency council and deputy to the general staff commander.<ref name="aps" /><ref name="presidentsaleh.gov.ye" /> On 17 July 1978, Saleh was elected by the ] to be the ], while simultaneously holding the positions of chief of staff and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.<ref name="presidentsaleh.gov.ye" />
==References==
<div class=
"references-small">
<references/></div>


''Governance in the Middle East and North Africa: A Handbook'' describes Saleh as being neither from a "sheikhly family" nor a "large or important tribe" either, but instead rising to power through "his own means", and creating a patronage system with his family at the top.<ref name="Abbas-2013-309"/> His seven brothers were placed "in key positions", and later he relied on "sons, daughters, sons-in-law and nephews".<ref name="Abbas-2013-309"/> Beneath the positions occupied by his extended family, Saleh "relied heavily on the loyalty" of two tribes, his own Sanhan tribe and the Hamdan San'a tribe of his mentor, the late president al-Ghashmi.<ref name="Abbas-2013-309">{{cite book|last1=K. Kadhim|first1=Abbas|title=Governance in the Middle East and North Africa: A Handbook|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|page=309|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wTmM-29GZC0C&q=Ali+Abdullah+Saleh&pg=PA309|isbn=9781857435849|access-date=8 November 2020|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215135116/https://books.google.com/books?id=wTmM-29GZC0C&q=Ali+Abdullah+Saleh&pg=PA309|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'' Middle Eastern correspondent ] described Saleh as reaching an understanding with powerful feudal "big sheikhs" to become "part of a Mafia-style spoils system that substituted for governance".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Worth|first1=Robert F.|title=A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS|date=2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|page=105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNOLCgAAQBAJ&q=rage+for+order+worth&pg=PP7|ref=RFWRfO2016|isbn=9780374710712|access-date=8 November 2020|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111173508/https://books.google.com/books?id=PNOLCgAAQBAJ&q=rage+for+order+worth&pg=PP7|url-status=live}}</ref> Robert Worth accused Saleh of exceeding the aggrandisement of other Middle Eastern strongmen by managing to "rake off tens of billions of dollars in public funds for himself and his family" despite the extreme poverty of his country.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Worth|first1=Robert F.|title=A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS|date=2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|page=98|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNOLCgAAQBAJ&q=rage+for+order+worth&pg=PP7|ref=RFWRfO2016|isbn=9780374710712|access-date=8 November 2020|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111173508/https://books.google.com/books?id=PNOLCgAAQBAJ&q=rage+for+order+worth&pg=PP7|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Commons|Ali Abdullah Saleh}}

a
== North Yemen presidency ==
]
]
On 10 August 1978, Saleh ordered the execution of 30 officers who were charged with being part of a conspiracy against his rule.<ref name=aps/> Saleh was promoted to ] in 1980, elected as the secretary-general of the ] party on 30 August 1982, and re-elected president of the ] in 1983.<ref name="presidentsaleh.gov.ye"/>

The People's Constituent Assembly, which had been created somewhat earlier, selected Col. Ali Abdullah Saleh as al-Ghashmī’s successor. Despite early public skepticism and a serious coup attempt in late 1978, Saleh managed to conciliate most factions, improve relations with Yemen's neighbours, and resume various programs of economic and political development and institutionalization. More firmly in power in the 1980s, he created the political organization that was to become known as his party, the General People's Congress (GPC), and steered Yemen into the age of oil.

In the late 1980s, Saleh was under considerable international pressure to permit his country's ] citizens to travel freely to places abroad. Passports were eventually issued to them, which facilitated their unrestricted travel.

== Unified Yemen presidency ==
] and Saleh in May 1990]]
The decline of the ] severely weakened the status of ], a communist-originated state, and, in 1990,<ref>''Interview of Ali Abdallah Saleh with Eric Rouleau in Sanaa in the early 1990s'', eng, Calames, Sound Archives Center, MMSH, http://calames.abes.fr/pub/ms/Calames-202404181618354315</ref> the North and South agreed to ] after years of negotiations. The South accepted Saleh as President of the unified country, while ] served as the Vice President and a member of the Presidential Council.<ref name="Burrowes 1986">{{cite book |title=The Yemen Arab Republic: The Politics of Development, 1962–1986|last=Burrowes |first=Robert D.|year=1987|publisher=Westview Press|isbn=978-0-8133-0435-9}}</ref><ref name="Reutersobit" />

After Iraq lost the ], Yemeni workers were deported from Kuwait by the restored government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gulf aid may not be enough to bring Yemen back from the brink |first=Judith |last=Evans |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6868805.ece |newspaper=]|date=10 October 2009|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429094535/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6868805.ece| archive-date=29 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the ], the first held after unification, Saleh's General People's Congress won 122 of 301 seats.<ref name="elections">{{cite book|title=Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I|editor1-last=Nohlen|editor1-first=Dieter|editor2-last=Grotz|editor2-first=Florian|editor3-last=Hartmann|editor3-first=Christof|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-924958-9|pages=309–310|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVFBXa69tWMC&pg=PA309|access-date=8 January 2016|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215135117/https://books.google.com/books?id=BVFBXa69tWMC&pg=PA309|url-status=live}}</ref> South disagreeing with their party's third place position, started a brief civil-war until 1994 when Saleh's army ended the insurgency.<ref name=":1" />

=== Terrorist links ===
] in 2000]]
Around 1994, ] from ]'s ] attempted to regroup in Yemen following a harsh crackdown in Egypt. In this, they were tacitly supported by the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh, as he found them useful in his fight against southern separatists in the ].<ref>{{Cite book|date=22 May 2013|title=The last refuge: Yemen, al-Qaeda, and America's war in Arabia}}</ref> After using Islamic militants to repress the separatist ] and keep the country under his rule, Saleh turned a blind eye to their activities and allowed their sympathizers to work in his intelligence services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/yemen-saleh-al-qaeda-houthi-saudi-arabia-iran/547487/|title=I Will Die in Yemen|last=Soufan|first=Ali|date=5 December 2017|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-date=26 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226050042/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/yemen-saleh-al-qaeda-houthi-saudi-arabia-iran/547487/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Military promotion ===
On 24 December 1997, Parliament approved Saleh's promotion to the rank of ],<ref name="aps" /><ref name="presidentsaleh.gov.ye" /> making him the highest-ranking military officer in Yemen.<ref name="aps" />

He became Yemen's first directly elected president in ], winning 96.2% of the vote.<ref name="elections" />{{rp|310}} The only other candidate, ], who was the son of ], the former president of ]. Though a member of Saleh's ] (GPC) party, Najeeb ran as an independent.<ref name="REVERSAL">{{cite news |title=In eleventh-hour reversal, President Saleh announces candidacy |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=27058 |agency=] |date=25 June 2006 |access-date=14 December 2010 |archive-date=5 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105080112/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=27058 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 1999 election ===
] and Saleh in Sanaa, 2002]]
After the 1999 elections, the Parliament passed a law extending presidential terms from five to seven years, extending parliamentary terms from four to six years, and creating a 111-member, presidentially-appointed council of advisors with legislative power.<ref name="presidentsaleh.gov.ye"/> This move prompted ] to downgrade their rating of political freedom in Yemen from 5 to 6.<ref name=FH>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/fiw/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=2424&pf|title=Freedom in the World – Yemen (2002)|year=2002|publisher=Freedom House|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321210215/http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/fiw/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=2424&pf|archive-date=21 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2006 election ===
] in the ], 2004]]
In July 2005, during the 27th-anniversary celebrations of his presidency, Saleh announced that he would "not contest the elections" in September 2006. He expressed hope that "all political parties&nbsp;– including the opposition and the General People's Congress&nbsp;– find young leaders to compete in the elections because we have to train ourselves in the practice of peaceful succession."<ref name="NOCONTEST">{{cite news|title=Yemen leader rules himself out of polls|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2005/07/20084101450797901.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=17 July 2005|access-date=14 December 2010|archive-date=20 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220084718/http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2005/07/20084101450797901.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in June 2006, Saleh changed his mind and accepted his party's nomination as the presidential candidate of the GPC, saying that when he initially decided not to contest the elections his aim was "to establish ground for a ]", and that he was now, however, bowing to the "popular pressure and appeals of the Yemeni people." Political analyst Ali Saif Hasan said that he had been "sure would run as a presidential candidate. His announcement in July 2005&nbsp;– that he would not run&nbsp;– was exceptional and unusual." Mohammed al-Rubai, head of the opposition supreme council, said the president's decision "show that the president wasn't serious in his earlier decision. I wish he hadn't initially announced that he would step down. There was no need for such farce."<ref name="REVERSAL" />] in 2007|left]]In ], held on 20 September, Saleh won with 77.2% of the vote. His main rival, ], received 21.8%.<ref name=presidentsaleh.gov.ye/><ref>{{cite news|title=Saleh re-elected president of Yemen|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2006/09/200841013335763406.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=23 September 2006|access-date=14 December 2010|archive-date=20 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220084749/http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2006/09/200841013335763406.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Saleh was sworn in for another term on 27 September 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yemeni president takes constitutional oath for his new term |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/27/content_5146302.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107102318/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/27/content_5146302.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2012|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=27 September 2006}}</ref>

In December 2005, Saleh stated in a nationally televised broadcast that only his personal intervention had prevented a U.S. occupation of the southern port of ] after the 2000 ], stating "By chance, I happened to be down there. If I hadn't been, Aden would have been occupied as there were eight U.S. warships at the entrance to the port."<ref>{{cite news |title=US mulled occupying Aden after Cole bombing: Yemen |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2005/december/middleeast_december20.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929220250/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=middleeast&xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2005%2Fdecember%2Fmiddleeast_december20.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2012 |newspaper=] |date=1 December 2005 }}</ref> However, transcripts from the ] stated that no other warships were in the vicinity at the time.<ref name="CNNobit"/>

=== Colluding with terrorists ===
] in Moscow, 2009]]
After 9/11, Saleh sided with America in the ]. Following the mysterious "escape" of ] convicts in Yemeni custody during the ], Saleh demanded more American money and support in order to catch the fugitives.<ref name=":0" />

In an investigative documentary allegations were made that Saleh's government supported and directly helped Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (]).<ref name="america.aljazeera.com"/>

An informant for the National Security Bureau (NSB) and Political Security Organization (PSO) made these allegations.<blockquote>''Hani Muhammad Mujahid, 38, told Al Jazeera that "many Al-Qaeda leaders were under the complete control of Ali Abdullah Saleh", "Ali Abdullah Saleh turned Al-Qaeda into an organized criminal gang. He was not only playing with the West. He was playing with the entire world".''</blockquote>Richard Barrett, who was with Britain's ] intelligence agency before becoming director of the Al-Qaeda Monitoring Team for the UN, described Mujahid's story of his background in Afghanistan, his return to Yemen and his involvement with AQAP as "credible". The attack on the ] was funded by Saleh's nephew and Al Qaeda leaders had close relationships with him. The informant also gave critical intelligence on terrorist movements, attacks and leaders but no action was taken.

== Ousted from the presidency ==

===Protests===
{{Main|Yemeni Revolution}}
]]]
In early 2011, following the ] which resulted in the overthrow of the long-time Tunisian president, ], opposition parties attempted to do the same in Yemen. Opposition elements started leading protests and demanding that Saleh end his three-decade-long rule because of the perceived lack of democratic reform, widespread corruption and human rights abuses carried out by him and his allies.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204012546/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/middle-east/110123/yemen-protests-tawakkol-karmans-arrest |date=4 February 2011 }}, ''Global Post'', 23 January 2011.</ref>{{Failed verification|date=December 2017}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Finn |first=Tom |date=23 January 2011 |title=Yemen arrests anti-government activist |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/23/yemen-arrests-protest-leader |access-date=18 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> His net worth was estimated to be between 32 and 64 billion dollars with his money spread across multiple accounts in Europe and abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ali-abdullah-saleh-yemens-64-bn-man-749430825|title=Is Yemen's Saleh really worth $64 billion?|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019075814/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ali-abdullah-saleh-yemens-64-bn-man-749430825|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 February 2011, facing a ], Saleh announced that he would not seek re-election in 2013, but would serve out the remainder of his term.<ref name=wsj2011>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703960804576119421179920308|title=Yemeni President won't Run Again|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=2 February 2011|first=Hakim |last=Almasmari|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204113915/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960804576119421179920308.html|archive-date= 4 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to government violence against protesters, eleven MPs of Saleh's party resigned on 23 February.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 February 2011 |title=Yemen protest: Ruling party MPs resign over violence |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12557617 |access-date=18 June 2023}}</ref> By 5 March, this number had increased to 13, as well as the addition of two deputy ministers.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629214720/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113514455840795.html |date=29 June 2011 }}, ], 3 March 2011.</ref>

On 10 March 2011, Saleh announced a ] on a new constitution, separating the executive and legislative powers.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310092928/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131073622898186.html |date=10 March 2011 }}. ], 10 March 2011</ref> On 18 March, at least 52 people were killed and over 200 injured by government forces when unarmed demonstrators were fired upon in the university square in ]. The president claimed that his security forces were not at the location, and blamed local residents for the massacre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2017}}

On 7 April 2011, the ] reported the plans of ], the Islah Party leader, prominent businessman, and de facto leader of Yemen's largest tribal confederation claiming that he would organize popular demonstrations throughout Yemen aimed at removing President Saleh from power.<ref name="The Washington Post">{{Cite news |title=WikiLeaks Cable: YEMEN: HAMID AL-AHMAR SEES SALEH AS WEAK AND ISOLATED, PLANS NEXT STEPS |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/world/wikileaks-yemen/cable12.html |access-date=18 June 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

On 23 April 2011, facing massive nationwide protests, Saleh agreed to step down under a 30-day transition plan in which he would receive immunity from criminal prosecution.<ref name="WashPo">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/yemens-president-saleh-agrees-to-step-down-in-return-for-immunity/2011/04/23/AFu59SWE_story.html|title=Yemen's President Saleh agrees to step down in return for immunity|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Michael|last=Birnbaum|date=23 April 2011|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=25 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725210935/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/yemens-president-saleh-agrees-to-step-down-in-return-for-immunity/2011/04/23/AFu59SWE_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 April 2011 |title=Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh defiant over exit |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13181324 |access-date=18 June 2023}}</ref> He stated that he planned to hand power over to his vice president, ] as part of the deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yemeni President Saleh signs deal on ceding power|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15858911|work=BBC News|date=23 November 2011|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612103254/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15858911|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 May 2011, he agreed to sign a deal with opposition groups, stipulating that he would resign within a month;<ref name="latimesblogs.latimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/05/yemen-deal-outlined-for-saleh-to-step-down-with-immunity.html|title=YEMEN: Deal outlined for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave within a month|work=Los Angeles Times|date=18 May 2011|access-date=18 May 2011|archive-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521204958/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/05/yemen-deal-outlined-for-saleh-to-step-down-with-immunity.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 May, Saleh refused to sign the agreement, leading to renewed protests and the withdrawal of the ] from mediation efforts in Yemen.<ref name="news.sky.com">{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Yemen-President-Saleh-Fails-To-Sign-Deal-For-Him-To-Leave-Office-After-33-Years/Article/201105415997388|title=''Sky News'', 23 May 2011|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525020055/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Yemen-President-Saleh-Fails-To-Sign-Deal-For-Him-To-Leave-Office-After-33-Years/Article/201105415997388|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Assassination attempt and resignation===
On 3 ], Saleh was injured in a bomb attack on his presidential compound. Multiple ] charges were planted inside the mosque and one exploded when the president and major members of his government were praying.<ref name="Reutersobit"/> The explosion killed four bodyguards and former prime minister, ] (who died later of his wounds), deputy prime ministers, head of the Parliament, governor of Sanaa and many more.<ref name="CNNobit"/> Saleh suffered burns and shrapnel injuries, but survived, a result that was confirmed by an audio message he sent to state media in which he condemned the attack, but his voice clearly revealed that he was having difficulty in speaking.<ref name="AA2011"/> Government officials tried to downplay the attack by saying he was lightly wounded. The next day he was taken to a military hospital in Saudi Arabia for treatment.<ref name="AA2011">{{cite news |title=Wounded Yemeni president in Saudi Arabia |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/06/201164164346765100.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=5 June 2011 |access-date=23 November 2011 |archive-date=17 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117230628/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/06/201164164346765100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to U.S. government officials, Saleh suffered a collapsed lung and burns on about 40 per cent of his body.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sources: Yemeni head Saleh has collapsed lung, burns over 40% of body|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/07/yemen.unrest/|publisher=CNN|date=7 June 2011|access-date=7 June 2011|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123800/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/07/yemen.unrest/|url-status=live}}</ref> A Saudi official said that Saleh had undergone two operations: one to remove the shrapnel and a ] on his neck.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=41673 |title=Yemeni president flees nation for medical treatment |access-date=7 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003824/http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=41673 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref>

On 4 June 2011, Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was appointed as acting president, while Saleh remained the President of Yemen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/yemen-jun-4-2011-2332|title=Al-Hadi acting President of Yemen|publisher=Blogs.aljazeera.net|date=4 June 2011|access-date=5 June 2011|archive-date=27 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127180754/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/yemen-jun-4-2011-2332|url-status=live}}</ref>
]
On 7 July 2011, Saleh appeared for his first live television appearance since his injury. He appeared badly burned and his arms were both bandaged. In his speech, he welcomed power-sharing but stressed it should be "within the framework of the constitution and in the framework of the law".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14072324|work=BBC News|title=Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh appears on TV|date=7 July 2011|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121080445/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14072324|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 September 2011, he was pictured without bandages, meeting ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/1752|title=Yemeni Protests Continue after Saleh Signs Deal|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019041318/https://english.al-akhbar.com/node/1752|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 23 September 2011, Yemeni state television announced that Saleh had returned to the country after three months amid increasing turmoil in a week that saw increased gun battles on the streets of Sana'a and more than 100 deaths.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yemen's Saleh calls for ceasefire on return|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/09/201192344820432439.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=23 September 2011|access-date=23 November 2011|archive-date=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117230447/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/09/201192344820432439.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Saleh said on 8 October 2011, in comments broadcast on Yemeni state television, that he would step down "in the coming days". The opposition expressed skepticism, however, and a government minister said Saleh meant that he would leave power under the framework of a ] initiative to transition toward democracy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/10/2011108135330805611.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=8 October 2011|title=Yemen president 'to step down'|access-date=8 October 2011|archive-date=9 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009113350/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/10/2011108135330805611.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 November 2011, Saleh flew to ] in neighbouring ] to sign the ] plan for political transition, which he had previously spurned. Upon signing the document, he agreed to legally transfer the office and powers of the presidency to his deputy, Vice President ].<ref name="Reutersobit"/> The agreement also led to the formation of a government divided by Saleh's political party (GPC) and the JMP.<ref name=resigns>{{cite news|last=Finn|first=Tom|title=Yemen president quits after deal in Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/23/yemen-president-quits?intcmp=239|newspaper=The Guardian|date=23 November 2011|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330101754/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/23/yemen-president-quits?intcmp=239|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was reported that Saleh had left Yemen on 22 January 2012 for medical treatment in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/world/middleeast/yemeni-president-leaves-heading-for-us.html?_r=1&hp|title=Yemen Leader Leaves for Medical Care in New York|author=Laura Kasinof|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 January 2012|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-date=29 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429202759/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/world/middleeast/yemeni-president-leaves-heading-for-us.html?_r=1&hp|url-status=live}}</ref> He arrived in the United States six days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/APb4ea7b8f7c1848d199ea4d68ceb356dc|title=Official: Yemen president in US for treatment|date=28 January 2012|work=The Wall Street Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012012316/https://www.wsj.com/articles/APb4ea7b8f7c1848d199ea4d68ceb356dc|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> After his deputy Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi won the ] on 21 February 2012 running unopposed, Saleh formally ceded power to him and stepped down as the President of Yemen on 27 February 2012, pledging to support efforts to "rebuild" the country still reeling from months of violence.<ref name="google12"/>

==Post-presidency==
In February 2013, Saleh opened a museum documenting his 33 years in power, located in a wing of the ] in Sanaa.<ref name="CNNobit"/> One of the museum's central display cases exhibits a pair of burnt trousers that Saleh was wearing at the time of his assassination attempt in June 2011.<ref name="Reutersobit"/> Other displays include fragments of shrapnel that were taken out of his body during his hospital treatment in Saudi Arabia, as well as various gifts given to Saleh by kings, presidents and world leaders over the course of his rule.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yemen's Saleh opens museum – about himself|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/18/267022.html|agency=Reuters|access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219140600/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/18/267022.html|archive-date=19 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later that year, in October, the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, ] said that Saleh and his son have the right to run in the ], as the 2011 deal does not cover political incapacitation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=moslempress.com |url=http://ww38.moslempress.com/ousted-ruler-ali-abdullah-saleh-has-right-to-run-for-president-un |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=ww38.moslempress.com}}</ref>

Saleh was a behind-the-scenes leader of the ] led by Zaydi ] forces. Tribesmen and government forces loyal to Saleh joined the ] in their march to power.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dbbc1ddc-d3c2-11e4-99bd-00144feab7de.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dbbc1ddc-d3c2-11e4-99bd-00144feab7de.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=Financial Times|title=Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh behind Houthis' rise|author=Peter Salisbury|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> The ] imposed sanctions on Saleh in 2014, accusing him of threatening peace and obstructing Yemen's political process, subjecting him to a global travel ban and an asset freeze.<ref>{{cite news | last =al-Sayaghi | first =Mohamed | title =Yemen's ex-president Saleh stable after Russian medics operate | agency =Reuters | date =14 October 2017 | url =https://www.yahoo.com/news/yemens-ex-president-saleh-stable-russian-medics-operate-133536757.html | access-date =15 October 2017 | archive-date =17 October 2017 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20171017044550/https://www.yahoo.com/news/yemens-ex-president-saleh-stable-russian-medics-operate-133536757.html | url-status =live }}</ref> On 28 July 2016, Saleh and the Houthi rebels announced a ''formal alliance'' to fight the Saudi-led military coalition, run by a ] of 10 members – made up of five members from Saleh's General People's Congress, and five from the Houthis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yemen's Houthi rebels announce alliance with ousted president|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/yemens-houthi-rebels-announce-alliance-with-ousted-president|access-date=2 August 2016|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=28 July 2016|archive-date=31 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731153208/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/07/28/yemens-houthi-rebels-announce-alliance-with-ousted-president.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The members were sworn in on 14 August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saba.ye/en/news436871.htm|title=SPC sworn on|date=14 August 2016|website=SabaNet – Yemen News Agency SABA|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618115529/https://www.saba.ye/en/news436871.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Death==
{{see also|Battle of Sanaa (2017)}}
Houthi spokesperson Mohamed Abdel Salam stated that his group had spotted messages between the ] (UAE) and Saleh three months before his death. He told the ]i channel ] that there was ]s between Saleh, the ] and a number of other countries such as ] and ] through encrypted messages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alkhaleejonline.net/articles/1512415225521026500/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B8%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-3-%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1/|title=الحوثيون: رصدنا رسائل بين صالح وأبوظبي قبل 3 شهور|trans-title=Houthis: We detected messages between Saleh and Abu Dhabi 3 months ago|date=4 December 2017|work=Al Khaleej|language=ar|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111140/http://alkhaleejonline.net/articles/1512415225521026500/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B8%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-3-%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1/|url-status=live}}</ref> The alliance between Saleh and the Houthi broke down in late 2017,<ref name="AJ_H-S">{{cite news|author=Faisal Edroos|title=How did Yemen's Houthi-Saleh alliance collapse?|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/yemen-houthi-saleh-alliance-collapse-171204070831956.html|access-date=4 December 2017|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=4 December 2017|archive-date=19 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519214826/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/yemen-houthi-saleh-alliance-collapse-171204070831956.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with armed clashes occurring between former allies in Sana'a from 28 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/violence-escalates-sanaa-saleh-loyalists-battle-houthis/|title=Violence escalates in Sanaa as Saleh loyalists battle Houthis|date=2 December 2017|author=Leith Fadel|publisher=Al Masdar News|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=19 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519120403/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/violence-escalates-sanaa-saleh-loyalists-battle-houthis/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Saleh declared his split from the ] in a televised statement delivered on 2 December, calling on his supporters to take back the country<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X11lC8BDI44&lc=z22ojlzyepngupa04acdp433zvtxdtdhhktlzvwbsr1w03c010c.1512423183560266| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/X11lC8BDI44| archive-date=17 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=Yemen: Conflict intensifies between former rebel allies|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=3 December 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and expressed his openness to a dialogue with the ].<ref name="AJ_H-S"/>

On 4 December 2017, Saleh's house in Sana'a was assaulted by fighters of the Houthi movement, according to residents.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yemen's Houthis blow up ex-president Saleh's house|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-house/yemens-houthis-blow-up-ex-president-salehs-house-idUKKBN1DY15Y|work=Reuters.com|date=4 December 2017|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=25 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125000314/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-house/yemens-houthis-blow-up-ex-president-salehs-house-idUKKBN1DY15Y|url-status=dead}}</ref> Saleh was killed on his way to ] while trying to flee into Saudi-controlled territories after a ] struck and disabled his vehicle in an ] and he was subsequently shot in the head by a Houthi sniper, something his party denied.<ref>{{cite news|title=Houthis reportedly gain control of majority of Sanaa|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/saleh-fate-unknown-house-bombed-houthis-171204095843076.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=4 December 2017|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617114526/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/saleh-fate-unknown-house-bombed-houthis-171204095843076.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Houthis published a video allegedly depicting Saleh's body with a gunshot wound to the head.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mz-mz.net/wp-content/up/24174221_786863818180284_3228772296227002524_n.jpg|website= mz-mz.net|title= Photo of Corpse Head| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171205095645/https://mz-mz.net/wp-content/up/24174221_786863818180284_3228772296227002524_n.jpg|url-status= dead|archive-date= 5 December 2017|date=5 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Youm7|title=الحوثيون ينشرون صورا وفيديو لمقتل على عبد الله صالح|language=ar|trans-title=Houthis publish photos and a video of the killing of Ali Abdullah Saleh|url=https://youm7.com/story/2017/12/4/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD/3539165|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204162146/http://www.youm7.com/story/2017/12/4/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD/3539165|url-status=live}}</ref> His death was confirmed by a senior aide to Saleh, and also by Saleh's nephew.<ref name="Reutersobit">{{cite news|title=Yemen's ex-president Saleh shot dead after switching sides in civil war|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/yemens-ex-president-saleh-shot-dead-after-switching-sides-in-civil-war-idUSKBN1DY12V|work=Reuters|date=4 December 2017|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171345/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/yemens-ex-president-saleh-shot-dead-after-switching-sides-in-civil-war-idUSKBN1DY12V|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CNNobit">{{cite news|title=Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh killed trying to flee Sanaa|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/04/middleeast/yemen-former-president-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-intl/index.html|access-date=4 December 2017|publisher=CNN|date=4 December 2017|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171205070249/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/04/middleeast/yemen-former-president-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His death has been described by '']'' as an embarrassment in a string of Saudi foreign policy failures under ].<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21731968-former-dictator-once-fought-houthis-and-later-allied-them-his-decision|title=Ali Abdullah Saleh's death will shake up the war in Yemen|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205002743/https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21731968-former-dictator-once-fought-houthis-and-later-allied-them-his-decision|url-status=live}}</ref>

Saleh's home was captured by Houthis before he fled. Officials of his party General People's Congress, while confirming his death, stated that a convoy he and other party officials were travelling in was attacked by Houthis as they fled towards his hometown ]. Houthi leader ] meanwhile celebrated Saleh's death and called it "the day of the fall of the treasonous conspiracy". He also stated that his group had "no problem" with the GPC or its members. ] offered condolences for Saleh's death and called for an uprising against the Houthis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42225574|title=Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's former leader, killed in Sanaa|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408044810/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42225574|url-status=live}}</ref> The Houthis accused the UAE of dragging Saleh to "this humiliating fate."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=16447&cat_id=3 |title= ناطق أنصار الله: الإمارات أوصلت زعيم ميليشيا الخيانة إلى هذه النهاية المخزية ولا مشكلة مع المؤتمر| trans-title= Nateq Ansar Allah: The UAE brought the leader of the treason militia to this shameful end, and there is no problem with the conference|website= almasirah.net|language=ar|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180812151151/https://www.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=16447&cat_id=3|archive-date=12 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 9 December 2017, he was buried in Sana'a, according to an official.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yemen's slain ex-President Saleh buried|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/yemen-s-slain-ex-president-saleh-buried-117120900716_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=9 December 2017|access-date=9 December 2017|archive-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812212952/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/yemen-s-slain-ex-president-saleh-buried-117120900716_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A Houthi commander reported that the burial was held in strict conditions with no more than 20 people attending.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yemen rebels bury Saleh in closed funeral: family source|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/yemen-rebels-bury-saleh-in-closed-funeral-family-source-117120900962_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=9 December 2017|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921123617/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/yemen-rebels-bury-saleh-in-closed-funeral-family-source-117120900962_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The Chinese 2018 movie '']'' is about the conflict in Yewaire, a country loosely based on Yemen,<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 2015 |title=Yemen crisis: China evacuates citizens and foreigners from Aden |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32173811 |access-date=18 June 2023}}</ref> with a coup launched by General Sharaf, who was based on Saleh but never made an appearance.

==Honours==
===National honours===
* {{flag|Yemen}}: Grand Master with Collar of the Order of Unification<ref name="ConstantanianOrder">{{cite web|url= http://www.constantinian.org.uk/president-ali-abdullah-saleh-of-yemen-is-invested-into-the-order-of-francesco-i-duke-of-calabria-receives-highest-yemeni-decoration-on-behalf-of-the-constantinian-order/|title= President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen is invested into the Order of Francesco I. Duke of Calabria receives highest Yemeni decoration on behalf of the Constantinian Order|website= constantinian.org.uk|publisher= Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George|date= 27 March 2004|access-date= 16 November 2016|archive-date= 29 July 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170729110619/http://www.constantinian.org.uk/president-ali-abdullah-saleh-of-yemen-is-invested-into-the-order-of-francesco-i-duke-of-calabria-receives-highest-yemeni-decoration-on-behalf-of-the-constantinian-order/|url-status= live}}</ref>

===Foreign honours===
* {{Flag|Cuba}}: Medal of the ]<ref name="chronology.palestine-studies.org">{{cite web|url=https://chronology.palestine-studies.org/entity-category/recipients-order-jos%C3%A9-marti|title=Recipients of the Order of José Marti|website=palestine-studies.org|publisher=|date=|access-date=|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411215804/https://chronology.palestine-studies.org/entity-category/recipients-order-jos%C3%A9-marti|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Libya|1977}}: First Class of the Order of the Grand Conqueror<ref name="alkhaleej.ae">{{cite web| url=https://www.alkhaleej.ae/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%B4%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A9| script-title=ar:صالح والقذافي.. ما أشبه الليلة بالبارحة| title=| language=ar| website=alkhaleej.ae| publisher=| date=| access-date=| archive-date=16 April 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416084910/https://www.alkhaleej.ae/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%B4%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A9| url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Tunisia}}: Grand Cordon of the ]
* {{Flag|United Arab Emirates}}: Collar of the ]<ref>{{Cite news|date=31 January 2007|title=Saleh starts UAE visit (updated)|publisher=]|url=https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395227783982|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209184829/https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395227783982|archive-date=9 December 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Two Sicilies|Spain}} Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (defunct honour)
** {{flagicon|Two Sicilies}} ]: Recipient of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Benemerenti Medal, 1st Class<ref name="ConstantanianOrder"/>
** {{flagicon|Two Sicilies}} Two Sicilian Royal Family: Knight Grand Cross of the ]<ref name="ConstantanianOrder"/>

==Wealth==
The UN Sanctions Panel said that by 2012 Saleh had amassed a fortune worth $32–60 billion hidden in at least twenty countries, making him one of the richest people in the world. Saleh was gaining $2 billion a year from 1978 to 2012, mainly through illegal methods, such as ], ] and ] of ] from Yemen's fuel ] programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://untribune.com/yemens-saleh-worth-60-billion-says-un-sanctions-committee/|title=Yemen's Saleh Worth $60 Billion Says UN Sanctions Panel|work=UNTribune.com|publisher=|date=24 February 2015|access-date=7 December 2017|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003307/http://untribune.com/yemens-saleh-worth-60-billion-says-un-sanctions-committee/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31632502|title=Yemen ex-leader 'amassed billions'|work=BBC News|date=25 February 2015|via=BBC.com|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718161529/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31632502|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
He was married to Asma Saleh in 1964, at the age of seventeen. The couple have seven sons, including the eldest ] (born 1972), former commander of the Republican Guard, once considered a potential successor to his father, and Khaled.

His half-brother, General Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar was commander of the Yemeni Air Force.

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Biography|Politics|Yemen}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}<references group="lower-alpha" />
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}


== External links == ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*
{{commons category}}
* official Yemen government website
*Ali Abdullah Saleh {{C-SPAN|83288}}
*{{Aljazeeratopic|person/ali-abdullah-saleh}}
*{{JPosttopic|Ali_Abdullah_Saleh}}
*{{NYTtopic|people/s/ali_abdullah_saleh}}
*, '']'', 22 March 2011
*, Sudarsan Raghavan in Sanaa, '']'', 25 March 2011
*, '']'', 23 April 2011


{{start box}} {{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box|title=]|before=]|after=''none''|years=1978&ndash;1990}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{succession box|title=]|before=''none''|after=''Incumbent''|years=May 22, 1990&ndash; }}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=1978–1990}}
{{end box}}
{{s-aft|after=Himself|as=]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Himself|as=]}}
{{s-ttl|rows=2|title=]<br />styled ''Chairman of the Presidential Council'' until 1994|years=1990–2012}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=]|as=]}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-new|party}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the ]|years=1982–2017<br>Disputed by ] starting 2015<br>Reason for dispute:<br>]}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{s-end}}


{{YemenPresidents}}
]
{{Yemeni Civil War (2015)}}
]
{{Arab Spring}}
]
{{YemenPres}}
]
{{Authority control}}
]
]
]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Saleh, Ali Abdullah}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 04:37, 22 December 2024

In this Arabic name, the surname is Al-Ahmar. Yemeni

Politician (1942–2017)

President of North Yemen, then Yemen (1978–2012)

Field MarshalAli Abdullah Saleh
علي عبدالله صالح
Saleh in 1988
President of Yemen
In office
22 May 1990 – 27 February 2012
Prime Minister
Vice President
Preceded by
Succeeded byAbdrabbuh Mansur Hadi
4th President of North Yemen
In office
18 July 1978 – 22 May 1990
Prime Minister
  • Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani
  • Abd Al-Karim Al-Iryani
  • Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani
Vice PresidentAbdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi
Preceded byAbdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi
Succeeded byHimself as President of Yemen
Chairman of the General People's Congress
In office
24 August 1982 – 4 December 2017
Disputed with Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi starting 21 October 2015
Preceded byParty established
Succeeded bySadeq Amin Abu Rass
Personal details
BornAli Abdullah Saleh
(1947-03-21)21 March 1947
Beit al-Ahmar, Sanhan District, North Yemen
Died4 December 2017(2017-12-04) (aged 70)
Sanaa, Yemen
Manner of deathAssassination by firearm
Political partyGeneral People's Congress
Spouse Asma ​(m. 1964)
Children7, including Ahmed
NicknameAffash
Military service
Allegiance Kingdom of Yemen (1958–1962)
 Yemen Arab Republic (1962–1990)
 Yemen (1990–2017)
Years of service1958–2017
RankField marshal
Battles/wars
This article is part of
a series about
Ali Abdullah Saleh
  • Unitary Government

  • Presidency

  • Presidential campaigns

  • Constitutional referendums

  • Related

Ali Abdullah Saleh Affash (21 March 1947 – 4 December 2017), commonly known by his last name Affash, was a Yemeni politician and military officer who served as the first president of the Republic of Yemen from the Yemeni unification in 1990 until his resignation in 2012, following the Yemeni revolution. Previously, he had served as the fourth and last President of the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen), from July 1978 to 22 May 1990, after the assassination of President Ahmad al-Ghashmi. al-Ghashmi had earlier appointed Saleh as military governor in Taiz.

Saleh developed deeper ties with Western powers, especially the United States, during the War on Terror. Islamic terrorism may have been used and encouraged by Ali Abdullah Saleh in order to win Western support and for disruptive politically motivated attacks. In 2011, in the wake of the Arab Spring, which spread across North Africa and the Middle East (including Yemen), Saleh's time in office became increasingly precarious, until he was eventually ousted as President in 2012. He was succeeded by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who had been serving as vice president since 1994, and acting president since 2011.

In May 2015, Saleh openly allied with the Houthis (Ansar Allah) during the Yemeni civil war, in which a protest movement and subsequent insurgency succeeded in capturing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, causing President Hadi to resign and flee the country. In December 2017, he declared his withdrawal from his coalition with the Houthis and instead sided with his former enemies – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and President al-Hadi.

On 4 December 2017, during a battle between Houthi and Saleh supporters in Sanaa, the Houthis accused Saleh of treason, and he was killed by a Houthi sniper. Reports were that Saleh was killed while trying to flee his compound in a car; however, this was denied by his party officials, who said he was executed at his house.

Early life

Saleh in his youth

Ali Abdullah Saleh Affash was born on 21 March 1947 to a poor family in Beit al-Ahmar village (Red House village) from the Sanhan (سنحان) clan (Sanhan District), whose territories lie some 20 kilometers southeast of the capital, Sanaa. Saleh's father, Abdallah Saleh died after he divorced Ali Abdullah's mother when Saleh was still young. His mother later remarried her deceased former husband's brother, Muhammad Saleh, who soon became Saleh's mentor and stepfather. Saleh's brother Mohammed was a major general and had three children: Yahya, Tareq, and Ammar, who all served under Saleh during his rule.

Private Saleh in the Republican Army uniform

Saleh's cousin, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar from the Al Ahmar family, which is also part of the Sanhan clan is often confused with the same-named leading family of the Hashid tribe, with which the Sanhan clan was an ally. The Hashid tribe, in turn, belongs to the larger Yemeni parent group, the Kahlan tribe. The clans Sanhan and Khawlan are said to be related.

Ali Abdallah Saleh married Asama Saleh in 1964.

Military career and rise to the presidency

Saleh received his primary education at Ma'alama village before leaving to join the North Yemeni Armed Forces in 1958 as an infantry soldier and was admitted to the North Yemen Military Academy in 1960. Three years later, in 1963, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in armoured corps. He participated in the Nasserist-inspired military coup of 1962, which was instrumental in the removal of King Muhammad al-Badr and the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic. During the North Yemen Civil War, he attained the rank of major by 1969. He received further training as a staff officer in the Higher Command and staff C Course in Iraq, between 1970 and 1971, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He became a full colonel in 1976 and was given command of a mechanised brigade. In 1977, the President of North Yemen, Ahmad al-Ghashmi, appointed him as military governor of Taiz.

After al-Ghashmi was assassinated on 24 June 1978, Colonel Saleh was appointed to be a member of the four-man provisional presidency council and deputy to the general staff commander. On 17 July 1978, Saleh was elected by the Parliament to be the President of the Yemen Arab Republic, while simultaneously holding the positions of chief of staff and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Governance in the Middle East and North Africa: A Handbook describes Saleh as being neither from a "sheikhly family" nor a "large or important tribe" either, but instead rising to power through "his own means", and creating a patronage system with his family at the top. His seven brothers were placed "in key positions", and later he relied on "sons, daughters, sons-in-law and nephews". Beneath the positions occupied by his extended family, Saleh "relied heavily on the loyalty" of two tribes, his own Sanhan tribe and the Hamdan San'a tribe of his mentor, the late president al-Ghashmi. The New York Times Middle Eastern correspondent Robert F. Worth described Saleh as reaching an understanding with powerful feudal "big sheikhs" to become "part of a Mafia-style spoils system that substituted for governance". Robert Worth accused Saleh of exceeding the aggrandisement of other Middle Eastern strongmen by managing to "rake off tens of billions of dollars in public funds for himself and his family" despite the extreme poverty of his country.

North Yemen presidency

Saleh in 1978
Saleh in 1988

On 10 August 1978, Saleh ordered the execution of 30 officers who were charged with being part of a conspiracy against his rule. Saleh was promoted to major general in 1980, elected as the secretary-general of the General People's Congress party on 30 August 1982, and re-elected president of the Yemen Arab Republic in 1983.

The People's Constituent Assembly, which had been created somewhat earlier, selected Col. Ali Abdullah Saleh as al-Ghashmī’s successor. Despite early public skepticism and a serious coup attempt in late 1978, Saleh managed to conciliate most factions, improve relations with Yemen's neighbours, and resume various programs of economic and political development and institutionalization. More firmly in power in the 1980s, he created the political organization that was to become known as his party, the General People's Congress (GPC), and steered Yemen into the age of oil.

In the late 1980s, Saleh was under considerable international pressure to permit his country's Jewish citizens to travel freely to places abroad. Passports were eventually issued to them, which facilitated their unrestricted travel.

Unified Yemen presidency

Libyan leader Gaddafi and Saleh in May 1990

The decline of the Soviet Union severely weakened the status of South Yemen, a communist-originated state, and, in 1990, the North and South agreed to unify after years of negotiations. The South accepted Saleh as President of the unified country, while Ali Salim al-Beidh served as the Vice President and a member of the Presidential Council.

After Iraq lost the Gulf War, Yemeni workers were deported from Kuwait by the restored government.

In the 1993 parliamentary election, the first held after unification, Saleh's General People's Congress won 122 of 301 seats. South disagreeing with their party's third place position, started a brief civil-war until 1994 when Saleh's army ended the insurgency.

Terrorist links

Saleh shaking hands with Carlo Giovanardi in 2000

Around 1994, jihadists from Ayman al-Zawahiri's Egyptian Islamic Jihad attempted to regroup in Yemen following a harsh crackdown in Egypt. In this, they were tacitly supported by the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh, as he found them useful in his fight against southern separatists in the civil war of 1994. After using Islamic militants to repress the separatist Yemeni Socialist Party and keep the country under his rule, Saleh turned a blind eye to their activities and allowed their sympathizers to work in his intelligence services.

Military promotion

On 24 December 1997, Parliament approved Saleh's promotion to the rank of field marshal, making him the highest-ranking military officer in Yemen.

He became Yemen's first directly elected president in the 1999 presidential election, winning 96.2% of the vote. The only other candidate, Najeeb Qahtan Al-Sha'abi, who was the son of Qahtan Muhammad al-Shaabi, the former president of South Yemen. Though a member of Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) party, Najeeb ran as an independent.

1999 election

Dick Cheney and Saleh in Sanaa, 2002

After the 1999 elections, the Parliament passed a law extending presidential terms from five to seven years, extending parliamentary terms from four to six years, and creating a 111-member, presidentially-appointed council of advisors with legislative power. This move prompted Freedom House to downgrade their rating of political freedom in Yemen from 5 to 6.

2006 election

Saleh and Putin in the Kremlin, 2004

In July 2005, during the 27th-anniversary celebrations of his presidency, Saleh announced that he would "not contest the elections" in September 2006. He expressed hope that "all political parties – including the opposition and the General People's Congress – find young leaders to compete in the elections because we have to train ourselves in the practice of peaceful succession." However, in June 2006, Saleh changed his mind and accepted his party's nomination as the presidential candidate of the GPC, saying that when he initially decided not to contest the elections his aim was "to establish ground for a peaceful transfer of power", and that he was now, however, bowing to the "popular pressure and appeals of the Yemeni people." Political analyst Ali Saif Hasan said that he had been "sure would run as a presidential candidate. His announcement in July 2005 – that he would not run – was exceptional and unusual." Mohammed al-Rubai, head of the opposition supreme council, said the president's decision "show that the president wasn't serious in his earlier decision. I wish he hadn't initially announced that he would step down. There was no need for such farce."

Saleh and George W. Bush in 2007

In the 2006 presidential election, held on 20 September, Saleh won with 77.2% of the vote. His main rival, Faisal bin Shamlan, received 21.8%. Saleh was sworn in for another term on 27 September 2006.

In December 2005, Saleh stated in a nationally televised broadcast that only his personal intervention had prevented a U.S. occupation of the southern port of Aden after the 2000 USS Cole bombing, stating "By chance, I happened to be down there. If I hadn't been, Aden would have been occupied as there were eight U.S. warships at the entrance to the port." However, transcripts from the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services stated that no other warships were in the vicinity at the time.

Colluding with terrorists

Saleh with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow, 2009

After 9/11, Saleh sided with America in the War on Terror. Following the mysterious "escape" of Al Qaeda convicts in Yemeni custody during the 2006 Yemen prison escape, Saleh demanded more American money and support in order to catch the fugitives.

In an investigative documentary allegations were made that Saleh's government supported and directly helped Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

An informant for the National Security Bureau (NSB) and Political Security Organization (PSO) made these allegations.

Hani Muhammad Mujahid, 38, told Al Jazeera that "many Al-Qaeda leaders were under the complete control of Ali Abdullah Saleh", "Ali Abdullah Saleh turned Al-Qaeda into an organized criminal gang. He was not only playing with the West. He was playing with the entire world".

Richard Barrett, who was with Britain's MI6 intelligence agency before becoming director of the Al-Qaeda Monitoring Team for the UN, described Mujahid's story of his background in Afghanistan, his return to Yemen and his involvement with AQAP as "credible". The attack on the U.S. Embassy in 2008 was funded by Saleh's nephew and Al Qaeda leaders had close relationships with him. The informant also gave critical intelligence on terrorist movements, attacks and leaders but no action was taken.

Ousted from the presidency

Protests

Main article: Yemeni Revolution
Anti-Saleh protest in Sanaa

In early 2011, following the Tunisian revolution which resulted in the overthrow of the long-time Tunisian president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, opposition parties attempted to do the same in Yemen. Opposition elements started leading protests and demanding that Saleh end his three-decade-long rule because of the perceived lack of democratic reform, widespread corruption and human rights abuses carried out by him and his allies. His net worth was estimated to be between 32 and 64 billion dollars with his money spread across multiple accounts in Europe and abroad.

On 2 February 2011, facing a major national uprising, Saleh announced that he would not seek re-election in 2013, but would serve out the remainder of his term. In response to government violence against protesters, eleven MPs of Saleh's party resigned on 23 February. By 5 March, this number had increased to 13, as well as the addition of two deputy ministers.

On 10 March 2011, Saleh announced a referendum on a new constitution, separating the executive and legislative powers. On 18 March, at least 52 people were killed and over 200 injured by government forces when unarmed demonstrators were fired upon in the university square in Sana'a. The president claimed that his security forces were not at the location, and blamed local residents for the massacre.

On 7 April 2011, the United States diplomatic cables leak reported the plans of Hamid al-Ahmar, the Islah Party leader, prominent businessman, and de facto leader of Yemen's largest tribal confederation claiming that he would organize popular demonstrations throughout Yemen aimed at removing President Saleh from power.

On 23 April 2011, facing massive nationwide protests, Saleh agreed to step down under a 30-day transition plan in which he would receive immunity from criminal prosecution. He stated that he planned to hand power over to his vice president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi as part of the deal.

On 18 May 2011, he agreed to sign a deal with opposition groups, stipulating that he would resign within a month; On 23 May, Saleh refused to sign the agreement, leading to renewed protests and the withdrawal of the Gulf Cooperation Council from mediation efforts in Yemen.

Assassination attempt and resignation

On 3 June 2011, Saleh was injured in a bomb attack on his presidential compound. Multiple C-4 (explosive) charges were planted inside the mosque and one exploded when the president and major members of his government were praying. The explosion killed four bodyguards and former prime minister, Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani (who died later of his wounds), deputy prime ministers, head of the Parliament, governor of Sanaa and many more. Saleh suffered burns and shrapnel injuries, but survived, a result that was confirmed by an audio message he sent to state media in which he condemned the attack, but his voice clearly revealed that he was having difficulty in speaking. Government officials tried to downplay the attack by saying he was lightly wounded. The next day he was taken to a military hospital in Saudi Arabia for treatment. According to U.S. government officials, Saleh suffered a collapsed lung and burns on about 40 per cent of his body. A Saudi official said that Saleh had undergone two operations: one to remove the shrapnel and a neurosurgery on his neck.

On 4 June 2011, Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was appointed as acting president, while Saleh remained the President of Yemen.

Ali Abdullah Saleh and his brother in 2011

On 7 July 2011, Saleh appeared for his first live television appearance since his injury. He appeared badly burned and his arms were both bandaged. In his speech, he welcomed power-sharing but stressed it should be "within the framework of the constitution and in the framework of the law". On 19 September 2011, he was pictured without bandages, meeting King Abdullah.

On 23 September 2011, Yemeni state television announced that Saleh had returned to the country after three months amid increasing turmoil in a week that saw increased gun battles on the streets of Sana'a and more than 100 deaths.

Saleh said on 8 October 2011, in comments broadcast on Yemeni state television, that he would step down "in the coming days". The opposition expressed skepticism, however, and a government minister said Saleh meant that he would leave power under the framework of a Gulf Cooperation Council initiative to transition toward democracy.

On 23 November 2011, Saleh flew to Riyadh in neighbouring Saudi Arabia to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council plan for political transition, which he had previously spurned. Upon signing the document, he agreed to legally transfer the office and powers of the presidency to his deputy, Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The agreement also led to the formation of a government divided by Saleh's political party (GPC) and the JMP.

It was reported that Saleh had left Yemen on 22 January 2012 for medical treatment in New York City. He arrived in the United States six days later. After his deputy Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi won the 2012 Yemeni presidential election on 21 February 2012 running unopposed, Saleh formally ceded power to him and stepped down as the President of Yemen on 27 February 2012, pledging to support efforts to "rebuild" the country still reeling from months of violence.

Post-presidency

In February 2013, Saleh opened a museum documenting his 33 years in power, located in a wing of the Al Saleh Mosque in Sanaa. One of the museum's central display cases exhibits a pair of burnt trousers that Saleh was wearing at the time of his assassination attempt in June 2011. Other displays include fragments of shrapnel that were taken out of his body during his hospital treatment in Saudi Arabia, as well as various gifts given to Saleh by kings, presidents and world leaders over the course of his rule.

Later that year, in October, the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar said that Saleh and his son have the right to run in the next Yemeni presidential election, as the 2011 deal does not cover political incapacitation.

Saleh was a behind-the-scenes leader of the Houthi takeover in Yemen led by Zaydi Houthi forces. Tribesmen and government forces loyal to Saleh joined the Houthis in their march to power. The United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on Saleh in 2014, accusing him of threatening peace and obstructing Yemen's political process, subjecting him to a global travel ban and an asset freeze. On 28 July 2016, Saleh and the Houthi rebels announced a formal alliance to fight the Saudi-led military coalition, run by a Supreme Political Council of 10 members – made up of five members from Saleh's General People's Congress, and five from the Houthis. The members were sworn in on 14 August 2016.

Death

See also: Battle of Sanaa (2017)

Houthi spokesperson Mohamed Abdel Salam stated that his group had spotted messages between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saleh three months before his death. He told the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera that there was communications between Saleh, the UAE and a number of other countries such as Russia and Jordan through encrypted messages. The alliance between Saleh and the Houthi broke down in late 2017, with armed clashes occurring between former allies in Sana'a from 28 November. Saleh declared his split from the Houthi movement in a televised statement delivered on 2 December, calling on his supporters to take back the country and expressed his openness to a dialogue with the Saudi Arabian-led coalition.

On 4 December 2017, Saleh's house in Sana'a was assaulted by fighters of the Houthi movement, according to residents. Saleh was killed on his way to Marib while trying to flee into Saudi-controlled territories after a rocket-propelled grenade struck and disabled his vehicle in an ambush and he was subsequently shot in the head by a Houthi sniper, something his party denied. The Houthis published a video allegedly depicting Saleh's body with a gunshot wound to the head. His death was confirmed by a senior aide to Saleh, and also by Saleh's nephew. His death has been described by The Economist as an embarrassment in a string of Saudi foreign policy failures under Mohammad bin Salman.

Saleh's home was captured by Houthis before he fled. Officials of his party General People's Congress, while confirming his death, stated that a convoy he and other party officials were travelling in was attacked by Houthis as they fled towards his hometown Sanhan. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi meanwhile celebrated Saleh's death and called it "the day of the fall of the treasonous conspiracy". He also stated that his group had "no problem" with the GPC or its members. Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi offered condolences for Saleh's death and called for an uprising against the Houthis. The Houthis accused the UAE of dragging Saleh to "this humiliating fate."

On 9 December 2017, he was buried in Sana'a, according to an official. A Houthi commander reported that the burial was held in strict conditions with no more than 20 people attending.

In popular culture

The Chinese 2018 movie Operation Red Sea is about the conflict in Yewaire, a country loosely based on Yemen, with a coup launched by General Sharaf, who was based on Saleh but never made an appearance.

Honours

National honours

  •  Yemen: Grand Master with Collar of the Order of Unification

Foreign honours

Wealth

The UN Sanctions Panel said that by 2012 Saleh had amassed a fortune worth $32–60 billion hidden in at least twenty countries, making him one of the richest people in the world. Saleh was gaining $2 billion a year from 1978 to 2012, mainly through illegal methods, such as embezzlement, extortion and theft of funds from Yemen's fuel subsidy programs.

Personal life

He was married to Asma Saleh in 1964, at the age of seventeen. The couple have seven sons, including the eldest Ahmed Saleh (born 1972), former commander of the Republican Guard, once considered a potential successor to his father, and Khaled.

His half-brother, General Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar was commander of the Yemeni Air Force.

See also

Portals:

Notes

  1. There is a dispute as to Saleh's date of birth, some saying that it was on 21 March 1942. See: Downing, Terry Reese (1 November 2009). Martyrs in Paradise. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4490-0881-9. However, by Saleh's own confession (an interview recorded in a YouTube video), he was born in 1947.
  1. Arabic: علي عبدالله صالح عفاش, romanizedʿAlī ʿAbdullāh Ṣāliḥ ʿAffāsh

References

  1. Al Yemeni, Ahmed A. Hezam (2003). The Dynamic of Democratisation – Political Parties in Yemen (PDF). Toennes Satz + Druck GmbH. ISBN 3-89892-159-X. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. Asharq al-Awsat; Muhammad Ali Mohsen (22 October 2015). "The People's Congress meets with Hadi in Riyadh and nominates him as president after Saleh is dismissed". Asharq Al-Awsat (in Arabic). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Aden, Yemen. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  3. Tawfeek al-Ganad (20 September 2022). "Weak and Divided, the General People's Congress Turns 40". Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies. Sanaa. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  4. Riedel, Bruce (18 December 2017). "Who are the Houthis, and why are we at war with them?". Brookings. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  5. ^ "AFP: Yemen's Saleh formally steps down after 33 years". Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  6. Aziz, Mr Sajid (28 July 2015). "Yemen Conundrum". CISS Insight Journal. 3 (1&2): P65–78. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  7. Spencer, Richard (11 June 2011). "Yemen defector says terror crisis was manufactured to win western support". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Informant claims former Yemen leader's regime worked with Al-Qaeda". america.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Yemen" (PDF). Oficina de Información Diplomática del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación.
  10. "Yemen's Saleh declares alliance with Houthis". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  11. "Yemen: Ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh killed". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  12. Ahmed, Zayd (5 December 2017). "Deposed strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh killed after switching sides in Yemen's war". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  13. "Yemen's ousted president 'killed by rebels'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  14. Browning, Noah (8 December 2017). "The last hours of Yemen's Saleh". Reuters. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  15. "Analysis: Yemen's ex-president Saleh's killing was 'revenge'". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  16. Hakim Almasmari, Tamara Qiblawi and Hilary Clarke. "Yemen's former President Saleh killed in Sanaa". CNN. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Security Council 2140 Sanctions Committee Amends Three Entries on Its List, Updates Narrative Summary". www.un.org. United Nations. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  18. "Hadha Ma Euthir Ealayh Mae Eali Eabd Allah Salih" هذا ما عثر عليه مع علي عبد الله صالح [This is what was found with Ali Abdullah Saleh]. Alhurra (in Arabic). 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  19. ^ "الرئيس اليمني علي عبد الله صالح" (in Arabic). Al Jazeera. 23 June 2006. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  20. ^ "YEMEN – Ali Abdullah Saleh Al-Ahmar". APS Review Downstream Trends. 26 June 2006. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  21. "علي عبدالله صالح.. في صور". العربية (in Arabic). 4 December 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  22. ^ Day, Stephen W. (2012). Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union. Cambridge University Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-1070-2215-7. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  23. "أقارب المخلوع صالح.. الإقالة في مرحلتها الثانية". Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  24. "Ali Abdallah Saleh". The Times. 5 December 2017.
  25. ^ "President Ali Abdullah Saleh Web Site". Presidentsaleh.gov.ye. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  26. ^ K. Kadhim, Abbas (2013). Governance in the Middle East and North Africa: A Handbook. Routledge. p. 309. ISBN 9781857435849. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  27. Worth, Robert F. (2016). A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS. Pan Macmillan. p. 105. ISBN 9780374710712. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  28. Worth, Robert F. (2016). A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS. Pan Macmillan. p. 98. ISBN 9780374710712. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  29. Interview of Ali Abdallah Saleh with Eric Rouleau in Sanaa in the early 1990s, eng, Calames, Sound Archives Center, MMSH, http://calames.abes.fr/pub/ms/Calames-202404181618354315
  30. Burrowes, Robert D. (1987). The Yemen Arab Republic: The Politics of Development, 1962–1986. Westview Press. ISBN 978-0-8133-0435-9.
  31. ^ "Yemen's ex-president Saleh shot dead after switching sides in civil war". Reuters. 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  32. Evans, Judith (10 October 2009). "Gulf aid may not be enough to bring Yemen back from the brink". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011.
  33. ^ Nohlen, Dieter; Grotz, Florian; Hartmann, Christof, eds. (2001). Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 309–310. ISBN 978-0-19-924958-9. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  34. The last refuge: Yemen, al-Qaeda, and America's war in Arabia. 22 May 2013.
  35. ^ Soufan, Ali (5 December 2017). "I Will Die in Yemen". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  36. ^ "In eleventh-hour reversal, President Saleh announces candidacy". IRIN. 25 June 2006. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  37. "Freedom in the World – Yemen (2002)". Freedom House. 2002. Archived from the original on 21 March 2011.
  38. "Yemen leader rules himself out of polls". Al Jazeera. 17 July 2005. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  39. "Saleh re-elected president of Yemen". Al Jazeera. 23 September 2006. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  40. "Yemeni president takes constitutional oath for his new term". Xinhua News Agency. 27 September 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012.
  41. "US mulled occupying Aden after Cole bombing: Yemen". Khaleej Times. 1 December 2005. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012.
  42. ^ "Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh killed trying to flee Sanaa". CNN. 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  43. Yemen: Protests intensify after arrest of journalist Tawakkol Karman Archived 4 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Global Post, 23 January 2011.
  44. Finn, Tom (23 January 2011). "Yemen arrests anti-government activist". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  45. "Is Yemen's Saleh really worth $64 billion?". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  46. Almasmari, Hakim (2 February 2011). "Yemeni President won't Run Again". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 4 February 2011.
  47. "Yemen protest: Ruling party MPs resign over violence". BBC News. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  48. Yemen MPs quit ruling party Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Al Jazeera, 3 March 2011.
  49. 'New constitution for Yemen' Archived 10 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera, 10 March 2011
  50. "Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  51. "WikiLeaks Cable: YEMEN: HAMID AL-AHMAR SEES SALEH AS WEAK AND ISOLATED, PLANS NEXT STEPS". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  52. Birnbaum, Michael (23 April 2011). "Yemen's President Saleh agrees to step down in return for immunity". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  53. "Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh defiant over exit". BBC News. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  54. "Yemeni President Saleh signs deal on ceding power". BBC News. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  55. "YEMEN: Deal outlined for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave within a month". Los Angeles Times. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  56. "Sky News, 23 May 2011". Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  57. ^ "Wounded Yemeni president in Saudi Arabia". Al Jazeera. 5 June 2011. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  58. "Sources: Yemeni head Saleh has collapsed lung, burns over 40% of body". CNN. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  59. "Yemeni president flees nation for medical treatment". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  60. "Al-Hadi acting President of Yemen". Blogs.aljazeera.net. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  61. "Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh appears on TV". BBC News. 7 July 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  62. "Yemeni Protests Continue after Saleh Signs Deal". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  63. "Yemen's Saleh calls for ceasefire on return". Al Jazeera. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  64. "Yemen president 'to step down'". Al Jazeera. 8 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  65. Finn, Tom (23 November 2011). "Yemen president quits after deal in Saudi Arabia". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  66. Laura Kasinof (22 January 2012). "Yemen Leader Leaves for Medical Care in New York". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  67. "Official: Yemen president in US for treatment". The Wall Street Journal. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017.
  68. "Yemen's Saleh opens museum – about himself". Reuters. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  69. "moslempress.com". ww38.moslempress.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  70. Peter Salisbury. "Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh behind Houthis' rise". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  71. al-Sayaghi, Mohamed (14 October 2017). "Yemen's ex-president Saleh stable after Russian medics operate". Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  72. "Yemen's Houthi rebels announce alliance with ousted president". Fox News Channel. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  73. "SPC sworn on". SabaNet – Yemen News Agency SABA. 14 August 2016. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  74. "الحوثيون: رصدنا رسائل بين صالح وأبوظبي قبل 3 شهور" [Houthis: We detected messages between Saleh and Abu Dhabi 3 months ago]. Al Khaleej (in Arabic). 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  75. ^ Faisal Edroos (4 December 2017). "How did Yemen's Houthi-Saleh alliance collapse?". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  76. Leith Fadel (2 December 2017). "Violence escalates in Sanaa as Saleh loyalists battle Houthis". Al Masdar News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  77. "Yemen: Conflict intensifies between former rebel allies". Al Jazeera English. 3 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021 – via YouTube.
  78. "Yemen's Houthis blow up ex-president Saleh's house". Reuters.com. 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  79. "Houthis reportedly gain control of majority of Sanaa". Al Jazeera. 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  80. "Photo of Corpse Head". mz-mz.net. 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017.
  81. "الحوثيون ينشرون صورا وفيديو لمقتل على عبد الله صالح" [Houthis publish photos and a video of the killing of Ali Abdullah Saleh]. Youm7 (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  82. "Ali Abdullah Saleh's death will shake up the war in Yemen". The Economist. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  83. "Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's former leader, killed in Sanaa". BBC. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  84. "ناطق أنصار الله: الإمارات أوصلت زعيم ميليشيا الخيانة إلى هذه النهاية المخزية ولا مشكلة مع المؤتمر" [Nateq Ansar Allah: The UAE brought the leader of the treason militia to this shameful end, and there is no problem with the conference]. almasirah.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  85. "Yemen's slain ex-President Saleh buried". Business Standard. 9 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  86. "Yemen rebels bury Saleh in closed funeral: family source". Business Standard. 9 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  87. "Yemen crisis: China evacuates citizens and foreigners from Aden". BBC News. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  88. ^ "President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen is invested into the Order of Francesco I. Duke of Calabria receives highest Yemeni decoration on behalf of the Constantinian Order". constantinian.org.uk. Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. 27 March 2004. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  89. "Recipients of the Order of José Marti". palestine-studies.org. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021.
  90. صالح والقذافي.. ما أشبه الليلة بالبارحة. alkhaleej.ae (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 16 April 2021.
  91. "Saleh starts UAE visit (updated)". Emirates News Agency. 31 January 2007. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  92. "Yemen's Saleh Worth $60 Billion Says UN Sanctions Panel". UNTribune.com. 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  93. "Yemen ex-leader 'amassed billions'". BBC News. 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018 – via BBC.com.

External links

Political offices
Preceded byAbdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi President of North Yemen
1978–1990
Succeeded byHimselfas President of Yemen
Preceded byHimselfas President of North Yemen President of Yemen
styled Chairman of the Presidential Council until 1994

1990–2012
Succeeded byAbdrabbuh Mansur Hadi
Preceded byHaidar Abu Bakr al-Attasas President of South Yemen
Party political offices
New political party Chairman of the General People's Congress
1982–2017
Disputed by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi starting 2015
Reason for dispute:
Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)
Succeeded bySadeq Amin Abu Rass
Yemen Presidents of the Republic of Yemen (List)
State Coat of arms
Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
Background
Battles
and attacks
Reactions
Impacts
Belligerents
Alimi government
Houthi government
People
Alimi government
Houthi government
Related
Arab Spring
"Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam"
Events by country
Groups
Notable people
Impact
UN Resolutions
International reactions
Domestic reactions
Timelines by country
Heads of state of Yemen
North Yemen
(1918–1990)
Kingdom
(1918–1962)
Flag of the Kingdom of Yemen
Flag of the Kingdom of Yemen
Republic
(1962–1990)
Flag of North Yemen
Flag of North Yemen
  • al-Sallal
  • al-Eryani
  • al-Hamadi
  • al-Ghashmi
  • al-Arashi
  • Saleh
  • South Yemen
    (1967–1990)
    Flag of South Yemen
    Flag of South Yemen
  • Shaabi
  • Salmin
  • Ali Nasir
  • Ismail
  • Ali Nasir
  • Attas
  • Republic of Yemen
    (1990–)
    Flag of Yemen
    Flag of Yemen
  • Saleh
  • Hadi
  • al-Houthi
  • al-Sammad
  • al-Mashat
  • al-Alimi
  • § Houthi–installed heads of state, in rebellion
    Categories: