The Rise of Ali Abdullah Saleh

    By عصام العماري

    The Rise of Ali Abdullah Saleh cover image

    23 Apr, 2024

    a man walking down a dirt road in a village with mountains in the background and people walking around the village, art photography, a detailed matte painting, Amir Zand, award - winning photography

    Ali Abdullah Saleh was born in a humble family in the small village of Bait el-Ahmar. Despite his humble beginnings, he dreamt of a better future.

    a young boy standing in front of a village in the mountains of a desert town with no people around, primitivism, a character portrait, Amir Zand, award-winning photograph

    His determination led him to enlist in the North Yemeni armed forces. His commitment and discipline caught the attention of his superiors.

    a man in a black robe standing in a street in a city with people walking around and buildings in the background, hurufiyya, egyptian art, Altoon Sultan, orientalism

    His rapid ascent through the ranks brought him to Sana'a. In 1978, he was elected President of the Yemen Arab Republic, also known as North Yemen.

    a young boy in a black vest and white shirt standing in a street with people walking around him and a building in the background, hurufiyya, a character portrait, Abdullah Gërguri, award-winning photograph

    As a leader, Saleh showed his political acumen by navigating through the intricate web of tribal politics and maintaining stability.

    a boy in a village in the desert with mountains in the background and a village in the foreground, photorealism, a hyperrealistic painting, Amir Zand, extremely detailed oil painting

    In 1990, Saleh played a key role in the unification of North and South Yemen, becoming the President of the newly formed Republic of Yemen.

    a young boy standing in front of a desert village with mountains in the background and people walking around the village, primitivism, a detailed matte painting, Amir Zand, desert

    His rule was marked by a series of challenges, including rebellions and political unrest. Yet, Saleh managed to hold on to power for over two decades.

    a man standing in front of a large group of people with flags in the background of him and a man with a mustache, hurufiyya, a photo, Altoon Sultan, award-winning photograph

    In 2011, the Arab Spring reached Yemen. Massive protests erupted calling for Saleh's resignation.

    a group of men standing in a street next to each other in front of a building with a flag on it, hurufiyya, a character portrait, Ahmed Karahisari, award-winning photograph

    Saleh initially resisted, but eventually stepped down, handing over power to his deputy in 2012, ending his 33-year rule.

    a boy standing in front of a fire in a city with smoke billowing out of the sky and buildings, neoism, a colorized photo, Arie Smit, award-winning photograph

    Even after stepping down, Saleh remained a significant political figure, aligning himself with the Houthi movement during the Yemeni Civil War.

    a young boy standing in a dirty street with a man walking by in the background and a car in the foreground, neoism, a character portrait, Fathi Hassan, award-winning photograph

    However, this alliance was short-lived. In 2017, Saleh switched sides, leading to his demise at the hands of the Houthis.

    a young boy standing in a dirt and rubble area in a village in the desert, with a building in the background, neoism, a stock photo, Carl Gustaf Pilo, award-winning photograph

    Saleh's legacy is a complex one. To some, he was a stabilizing force, to others a dictator. His actions shaped Yemen in profound ways.

    a young boy with a necklace and a black shirt on in a village with people in the background and a man in the foreground, hurufiyya, egyptian art, Farid Mansour, orientalism

    The story of Ali Abdullah Saleh is a testament to the complexities of leadership and the indelible impact one individual can have on a nation's history.

    The Rise of Ali Abdullah Saleh

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