Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed by the Houthis on Monday days after he called for an uprising against the Iranian-backed militias.
The details of his death remain unclear, but it brings an end to his long political career.
Born on March 21, 1942 to the Hashed tribe in northern Yemen, he enlisted in the army in his 20s and took part as an officer in the revolt that led to the establishment of the Yemen republic in 1962.
He was appointed president to succeed Ahmed al-Ghashmi, who was assassinated in 1978.
Northern and southern Yemen were united in 1990 and he became the president of the entire country. Four years later, he stifled a rebellion in the South.
Between 2004 and 2010, Saleh became embroiled in a conflict with the rebel Houthis in the North. He survived an assassination attempt in June 2011 and left power in February 27, 2012 after months of unrest.
In 2014, he struck an alliance with the Houthis, who had captured the capital Sana’a and briefly, Aden, which was quickly recaptured by the Saudi-led coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen.
Saleh announced on Saturday the end to his alliance with the Houthis and his readiness to open a new chapter of ties with the Saudi-led coalition.
