List of heads of state of Yemen

Last updated

The following is a list of the heads of state of modern Yemen, from the establishment of the Kingdom of Yemen in 1918 to the present day.

Contents

Yemen is in a tumultuous state since the start of the Arab Spring-related Yemeni crisis in 2011; the crisis resulted in the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2012, after 33 years in power. [1] The presidency was then transferred to Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Since 2014–2015, the country has been in a civil war (alongside the Saudi-led military intervention aimed at restoring Hadi's government after the Houthi takeover) with several proto-state entities claiming to govern Yemen: the internationally recognized Cabinet of Yemen/Presidential Leadership Council, the Houthi-led Supreme Revolutionary Committee/Supreme Political Council, and the secessionist Southern Transitional Council. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Kingdom of Yemen (1918–1970)

PortraitImam
(Birth–Death)
ReignHouseClaim
Reign startReign endDuration
Imam yahya cropped.png Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din
(1869–1948)
30 October 191817 February 1948
( assassinated.) [7]
29 years, 110 days Rassid Imam of the Zaydis since 4 June 1904
YemenAhmad.jpg Ahmad bin Yahya
(1891–1962)
17 February 194819 September 1962 [8] 14 years, 214 days Rassid Son of Yahya
Muhammad al-Badr.jpg Muhammad al-Badr
(1926–1996)
19 September 196226 September 1962
( deposed.) [9]
7 days Rassid Son of Ahmad

Kingdom of Yemen in Exile (1962–1970)

PortraitImam
(Birth–Death)
ReignHouseClaim
Reign startReign endDuration
Muhammad al-Badr.jpg Muhammad al-Badr
(1926–1996) [lower-alpha 1]
27 September 19621 December 19708 years, 65 days Rassid Son of Ahmad

Yemen Arab Republic (1962–1990)

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
President of the Republic
Former-leader-of-the-North-Yemeni-Revolution-of-1962-Abdullah-al-Sallal-352025442834.jpg Abdullah al-Sallal
(1917–1994) [lower-alpha 2]
27 September 19625 November 1967
(deposed.)
5 years, 39 days Military
Chairman of the Republican Council
Eryani.JPG Abdul Rahman al-Eryani
(1910–1998)
5 November 196713 June 1974
(deposed.) [10]
6 years, 220 days Independent
President of the Republic
IbrahimAl Hamdi.jpg Ibrahim al-Hamdi
(1943–1977) [lower-alpha 3]
13 June 197411 October 1977
(assassinated.) [11]
3 years, 120 days Military
Ahmad al-Ghashmi.jpg Ahmad al-Ghashmi
(1938–1978) [lower-alpha 4]
11 October 197724 June 1978
(assassinated.) [12]
256 days Military
Chairman of the Presidential Council
Abdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi 1990.jpg Abdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi
(1934–2006)
24 June 197818 July 197824 days Independent
President of the Republic
President Ali Abdullah Saleh (Yemen Arab Republic).jpg Ali Abdullah Saleh
(1947–2017)
18 July 1978 [13] 22 May 1990 [14] 11 years, 308 days Military
(until 24 August 1982)
General People's Congress

People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1967–1990)

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
President of the Republic
Qahtan Shaabi.jpg Qahtan Muhammad al-Shaabi
(1920–1981)
30 November 196722 June 1969
( deposed.) [15]
1 year, 204 days National Liberation Front
Chairman of the Presidential Council
Salim Rubayya Ali (cropped).JPG Salim Rubai Ali
(1935–1978)
23 June 196926 June 1978
(assassinated.) [16]
9 years, 3 days National Liberation Front
Ali Nasser Muhammad USSR (cropped).jpg Ali Nasir Muhammad
(born 1939)
26 June 197827 December 1978184 days National Liberation Front
(until 21 December 1978.)
Yemeni Socialist Party
Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Council
Abdulfatah-1979-188.jpg Abdul Fattah Ismail
(1939–1986)
27 December 197821 April 1980 [17] 1 year, 116 days Yemeni Socialist Party
Ali Nasser Muhammad USSR (cropped).jpg Ali Nasir Muhammad
(born 1939)
26 April 198024 January 1986
( deposed.)
5 years, 273 days Yemeni Socialist Party
No image.png Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas
(born 1939)
24 January 1986 [18] 22 May 1990 [14] 4 years, 118 days Yemeni Socialist Party

Democratic Republic of Yemen (1994)

PortraitPresident
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Ali Salem al-Beidh.jpg Ali Salem al Beidh
(born 1939)
( in rebellion )
21 May 1994 [19] 7 July 1994 [20] 47 days Yemeni Socialist Party

STC secession attempt (2017–present)

PortraitPresident
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
`ydrws lzbydy.jpg Aidarus al-Zoubaidi
(born 1967)
( in rebellion )
11 May 2017Incumbent7 years, 60 days Southern Movement

Republic of Yemen (post-unification, 1990–present)

Status
  Denotes Acting President
PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
ElectedTerm of officePolitical party
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
President of the Republic
President Ali Abdullah Saleh.jpg Ali Abdullah Saleh
(1947–2017) [lower-alpha 5]
1999
2006
22 May 199027 February 2012
( resigned.) [21]
21 years, 281 days General People's Congress
Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.jpg Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi
(born 1945)
4 June 2011 [22] 23 September 2011111 days General People's Congress
23 November 201127 February 201296 days
2012 27 February 20127 April 2022
(resigned.) [23]
10 years, 39 days
Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council
Rashad al-Alimi (2023).jpg Rashad al-Alimi
(born 1954)
7 April 2022 [23] Incumbent2 years, 94 days General People's Congress
President of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee
Muhammad Ali Al Houthi (cropped).png Mohammed al-Houthi
(born 1979) [lower-alpha 6]
( in rebellion )
6 February 201515 August 20161 year, 191 days Houthis
President of the Supreme Political Council
Saleh Al Sammad (cropped).png Saleh Ali al-Sammad
(1979–2018) [lower-alpha 6]
( in rebellion )
15 August 201619 April 2018
( killed .) [24]
1 year, 247 days Houthis
Mehdi Al Mashat (cropped).png Mahdi al-Mashat
(born 1986) [lower-alpha 6]
( in rebellion )
25 April 2018Incumbent6 years, 78 days Houthis

Timeline

Rashad al-AlimiMahdi al-MashatAidarus al-ZoubaidiSaleh Ali al-SammadMohammed al-HouthiAbdrabbuh Mansur HadiAli Salem al BeidhHaidar Abu Bakr al-AttasAbdul Fattah IsmailAli Abdullah SalehAli Nasir MuhammadAbdul Karim Abdullah al-ArashiAhmad al-GhashmiIbrahim al-HamdiSalim Rubai AliQahtan Muhammad al-ShaabiAbdul Rahman al-EryaniAbdullah al-SallalMuhammad al-BadrAhmad bin YahyaYahya Muhammad Hamid ed-DinList of heads of state of Yemen

See also

Notes

  1. In northern Yemen, from March 1969 in exile in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
  2. Styled as Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council until 3 October 1962.
  3. Styled as Chairman of the Command Council until 13 June 1975.
  4. Styled as Chairman of the Presidential Council until 22 April 1978.
  5. Styled as Chairman of the Presidential Council until 1 October 1994.
  6. 1 2 3 Appointed by the Houthis, in rebellion during their takeover and its aftermath.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Yemen</span>

The Politics of Yemen are in an uncertain state due to the Houthi takeover in Yemen. An armed group known as the Houthis or Ansar Allah seized control of the Northern Yemeni government and announced it would dissolve parliament, as well as install a "presidential council", "transitional national council", and "supreme revolutionary council" to govern the country for an interim period. However, the deposed president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, has declared he is still in office and is working to establish a rival government in Aden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Abdullah Saleh</span> Yemeni Politician (1942–2017) President of North Yemen, then Yemen (1978–2012)

Ali Abdullah Saleh al-Ahmar was a Yemeni politician who served as the first President of the Republic of Yemen, from Yemeni unification on 22 May 1990, to his resignation on 27 February 2012, following the Yemeni Revolution. Previously, he had served as President of the Yemen Arab Republic, or 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Yemen</span> Head of state of Yemen

The president of the Republic of Yemen is the head of state of Yemen. Under the Constitution of Yemen, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and head of the executive branch of the Yemeni government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saada</span> City in Yemen

Saada, a city and ancient capital in the northwest of Yemen, is the capital and largest city of the governorate of the same name, and the seat of the eponymous district. The city is located in the mountains of Serat (Sarawat) at an altitude of about 1,800 meters. In 2004, it was the tenth-largest city in Yemen and had an estimated population of 51,870.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi</span> President of Yemen from 2012 to 2022

Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi is a Yemeni politician and former field marshal of the Yemeni Armed Forces who served as the president of Yemen from 2012 until 2022, when he stepped down and transferred executive authority to the Presidential Leadership Council, with Rashad al-Alimi as its chairman. He was the vice president to Ali Abdullah Saleh from 1994 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yemeni revolution</span> Yemeni upheaval occurring simultaneously with the Arab Spring (2011)

The Yemeni revolution followed the initial stages of the Tunisian Revolution and occurred simultaneously with the 2011 Egyptian revolution and other Arab Spring protests in the Middle East and North Africa. In its early phase, protests in Yemen were initially against unemployment, economic conditions and corruption, as well as against the government's proposals to modify Yemen's constitution. The protesters' demands then escalated to calls for the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Mass defections from the military, as well as from Saleh's government, effectively rendered much of the country outside of the government's control, and protesters vowed to defy its authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabinet of Yemen</span> Governing body of Yemen

The Cabinet of Yemen refers to the governing body of the internationally recognized government of the Republic of Yemen, led by its President Rashad al-Alimi, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the governing body of Yemeni republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar</span> Yemeni general

Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar, sometimes spelled Muhsin, is a Yemeni military officer who served as the vice president of Yemen from 2016 to 2022, when he was dismissed by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who transferred the powers of the president and vice president to the Presidential Leadership Council. He is a general in the Yemeni Army and was the commander of the northwestern military district and the 1st Armoured Division. He played a leading role in the creation of the General People's Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yemeni peace process</span> Attempts to resolve the crisis in Yemen

Yemeni peace process refers to the proposals and negotiations to pacify the Yemeni Crisis by arranging a power transfer scheme within the country and later cease-fire attempts within the raging civil war. While initially unsuccessful, the reconciliation efforts resulted with presidential elections, held in Yemen in February 2012. The violence in Yemen, however, continued during the elections and after, culminating in Houthi seizure of power and the ensuing civil war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houthi takeover in Yemen</span> 2014–2015 revolution after the capture of the capital, Sanaa

The Houthi takeover in Yemen, also known as the September 21 Revolution, or 2014–15 coup d'état, was a popular revolution against Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi led by the Houthis and their supporters that pushed the Yemeni government from power. It had origins in Houthi-led protests that began the previous month, and escalated when the Houthis stormed the Yemeni capital Sanaa on 21 September 2014, causing the resignation of Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa, and later the resignation of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and his ministers on 22 January 2015 after Houthi forces seized the presidential palace, residence, and key military installations, and the formation of a ruling council by Houthi militants on 6 February 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yemeni crisis</span> Ongoing crisis occurring in the country of Yemen

The Yemeni crisis began with the 2011–2012 revolution against President Abdullah Saleh, who had led Yemen for 33 years. After Saleh left office in early 2012 as part of a mediated agreement between the Yemeni government and opposition groups, the government led by Saleh's former vice president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, struggled to unite the fractious political landscape of the country and fend off threats both from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and from Houthi militants that had been waging a protracted insurgency in the north for years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aftermath of the Houthi takeover in Yemen</span>

The aftermath of the Houthi takeover in Yemen refers to developments following the Houthis' takeover of the Yemeni capital of Sana'a and dissolution of the government, which eventually led to a civil war and the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yemeni civil war (2014–present)</span> Ongoing civil war in the state of Yemen

The Yemeni civil war is an ongoing multilateral civil war that began in late 2014 mainly between the Rashad al-Alimi-led Presidential Leadership Council and the Mahdi al-Mashat-led Supreme Political Council, along with their supporters and allies. Both claim to constitute the official government of Yemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war</span> Saudi war against Houthis in Yemen launched in 2015

On 26 March 2015, Saudi Arabia, leading a coalition of nine countries from West Asia and North Africa, launched an intervention in Yemen at the request of Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who had been ousted from the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014 by Houthi insurgents during the Yemeni Civil War. Efforts by the United Nations to facilitate a power sharing arrangement under a new transitional government collapsed, leading to escalating conflict between government forces, Houthi rebels, and other armed groups, which culminated in Hadi fleeing to Saudi Arabia shortly before it began military operations in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supreme Political Council</span> Houthi executive body

The Supreme Political Council is an executive body formed by the Houthi movement and the pro-Houthi faction of the General People's Congress (GPC) to rule Yemen. Formed on 28 July 2016, the presidential council consists of thirteen members and was headed by Saleh Ali al-Sammad as president until he was killed by a drone strike on 19 April 2018, with Qassem Labozah as vice-president. Presently the council is headed by Mahdi al-Mashat as Chairman. The territory that it rules consists most of the former North Yemen, which united with South Yemen in 1990.

The following is a timeline of the Yemeni civil war, which began in September 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Sanaa (2017)</span> Battle fought in 2017

The Battle of Sanaa (2017) was fought between forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Houthis in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a. Both sides were allied during the 2014–15 Houthi takeover of the government but the alliance ended when Saleh decided to break ranks with the Houthis and call for dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who are leading a military intervention in Yemen. Fighting then broke out between the Houthis and forces loyal to Saleh as the Saudi-led coalition began bombing Houthi areas, ultimately resulting in Saleh's death and a Houthi victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tareq Saleh</span> Yemeni military commander (born 1970)

Tareq Mohammed Abdullah Saleh is a Yemeni military commander and the nephew of the late President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He is currently a member of the presidential council of Yemen. His father was Major General Mohammed Abdullah Saleh. Prior to the national crisis beginning in 2011, he headed the elite Presidential Guard. In 2012, he was ordered to stand down from this position. On 10 April 2013, he was appointed as a military attaché to Germany in an effort to remove the remnants of the previous regime. He re-emerged as a commander in the Houthi-Saleh alliance when the Yemeni Civil War broke out in 2015. When this alliance collapsed in 2017, Tareq Saleh commanded troops loyal to his uncle. Prior to the collapse of the pro-Saleh forces, the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported that negotiations were ongoing to form a military council in Saleh-held areas, which would have been headed by Tareq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidential Leadership Council</span> Yemens executive body

The Presidential Leadership Council is the executive body of Yemen's internationally recognized government, formed on 7 April 2022. It is chaired by Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi and has a membership of eight, including representatives from Southern Transitional Council. The decree claims all powers of the president and vice president have been transferred to this council. However, it also vests the chairman with sweeping personal powers, including the ability to unilaterally command the military and appoint governors and other key officials.

References

  1. James L. Gelvin (2012). The Arab Uprisings: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford University Press. p. 68. ISBN   978-0-19-989177-1.
  2. Mareike Transfeld (2014). "Capturing Sanaa: Why the Houthis Were Successful in Yemen". Muftah. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. Steven A. Zyck (2014). "Mediating Transition in Yemen: Achievements and Lessons" (PDF). International Peace Institute. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  4. Silvana Toska (26 September 2014). "Shifting balances of power in Yemen's crisis". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  5. "Houthi leader vows to defend 'glorious revolution'". Al Jazeera. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  6. Aboueldahab, Noha. "Yemen's fate was sealed six years ago". www.aljazeera.com.
  7. "YEMEN HEAD KILLED WITH 3 SONS, AIDE". New York Times. Associated Press. 20 February 1948. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  8. "Imam Ahmad of Yemen Is Dead". New York Times. 20 September 1962. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  9. "Imam of Yemen Reported Slain In Coup After a Week on Throne". New York Times. 28 September 1962. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  10. "Military in Yemen Ousts Government And Sets Up Junta". New York Times. 14 June 1974. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  11. "Martial Law Is Imposed by Yemen". New York Times. 13 October 1977. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  12. "President of Yemen Reported Murdered". New York Times. Associated Press. 25 June 1978. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  13. "Yemen People's Council Chooses Saleh to Take Over as President". New York Times. Associated Press. 18 July 1978. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  14. 1 2 "2 Yemens Become One, and Celebrate". New York Times. Reuters. 23 May 1990. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  15. "Southern Yemen's President Quits and Council Replaces Him". New York Times. 23 June 1969. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  16. "South Yemen Chief Reported Slain, But Pro‐Red Group Stays in Power". New York Times. 27 June 1978. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  17. "South Yemen Replaces President; Held Office Less Than 2 Years". New York Times. 22 April 1980. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  18. Serge Schmemann (26 January 1986). "SOVIET-BACKED YEMENI IS 'ACTING PRESIDENT'". New York Times. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  19. "Southern Yemenis Announce Secession". New York Times. Reuters. 22 May 1994. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  20. "Yemen Claims Victory in Civil War After Seizing Rebel City". New York Times. Associated Press. 8 July 1994. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  21. "AFP: Yemen's Saleh formally steps down after 33 years". Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  22. "Al-Hadi acting President of Yemen". Blogs.aljazeera.net. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  23. 1 2 Ghobari, Mohamed (7 April 2022). "Yemen president sacks deputy, delegates presidential powers to council". Reuters . Aden . Retrieved 7 April 2022. With this declaration a Presidential Leadership Council shall be established to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional period. I irreversibly delegate to the Presidential Leadership Council my full powers in accordance with the constitution and the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism.
  24. "Yemen war: Houthi political leader 'killed in air raid'". BBC. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.