Ali Abdullah Saleh

Ali Abdullah Saleh (; born 21 March 1942 – 4 December 2017) was a Yemeni politician.

 Life 
He was the first President of the Republic of Yemen. Before that time, Saleh served as the President of the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) from 1978 until 1990. In 1990, he assumed the office of chairman of the Presidential Council of the Republic of Yemen (North & South Yemen). Ali Abdullah Saleh had also fought a short war with the Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1994, earning a decisive victory. He was the longest-serving president of Yemen, ruling since 1978. On February 2, 2011, he announced that he would step down in 2013.

 Death 
In December 2017, Saleh said he would not support the Houthis and instead sided with his former enemies – Saudi Arabia and president Hadi. On December 4, 2017, he was shot dead by a Houthi sniper while attempting to leave the capital city of Sana'a amidst the ongoing battle. The Houthis said that it was the United Arab Emirates that dragged Saleh to "this humiliating fate."

References

Category:1947 births
Category:2017 deaths
Category:Assassinated people
Category:Muslims
Category:Presidents of Yemen
Category:National presidents assassinated in the 21st century