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Abdullah al-Sallal
Former-leader-of-the-North-Yemeni-Revolution-of-1962-Abdullah-al-Sallal-352025442834.jpg
1st President of Yemen Arab Republic
In office
26 September 1962 – 5 November 1967
Prime Minister Himself
Abdul Latif Dayfallah
Abdul Rahman al-Iryani
Hassan al-Amri
Hamoud al-Gayifi
Hassan al-Amri
Ahmad Muhammad Numan
Hassan al-Amri
Preceded by Position established (Muhammad al-Badr As king and Imam Of Yemen)
Succeeded by Abdul Rahman al-Eryani
Prime Minister of Yemen Arab Republic
In office
28 September 1962 – 26 April 1963
President Himself
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Abdul Latif Dayfallah
In office
6 July 1965 – 21 July 1965
President Himself
Preceded by Ahmad Muhammad Numan
Succeeded by Hassan al-Amri
In office
18 September 1966 – 5 November 1967
President Himself
Preceded by Hassan al-Amri
Succeeded by Mohsin Ahmad al-Aini
Personal details
Born (1917-01-09)9 January 1917
Sanaa, Yemen Vilayet, Ottoman Empire
Died 5 March 1994(1994-03-05) (aged 77)
Sanaa, Yemen
Political party None (Military)
Military service
Allegiance  North Yemen 1962–1990
 Yemen 1990–1994
Branch/service North Yemeni Army
Rank Field Marshal

Abdullah al-Sallal (born January 9, 1917 – died March 5, 1994) was a key leader in the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962. He became the very first President of the Yemen Arab Republic. He held this important role from September 27, 1962, to November 5, 1967.

Early Life and Education

Abdullah al-Sallal was born in a village called Sha'asan. This village is located in the Sanhan district of Yemen. Sadly, his father passed away when Abdullah was still very young.

Because of this, al-Sallal went to live at the only orphanage in Sanaa. This orphanage was known as the Orphan School. Many important people in Yemen's history grew up there. These included many brave patriots and powerful politicians.

Even though his family was not from the highest social class, al-Sallal was highly respected. People in the military thought he was a skilled and brave officer. This was true even though his father was a butcher, which was not a highly respected job back then.

Political Career and Leadership

Abdullah al-Sallal in a military display March 1963
Abdullah al-Sallal in a military display in March 1963.

Abdullah al-Sallal led a group of revolutionary forces. Their goal was to remove King Muhammad al-Badr from power. They succeeded, bringing an end to the old kingdom, known as the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen.

After this, al-Sallal became the leader of the new country, the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR). The YAR had strong connections with Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt. Egypt was a very important friend and helper to the YAR.

This new republic faced a long war against the royalists. These were people who supported the old king. Saudi Arabia helped the royalists. This conflict was called the North Yemen Civil War and it lasted until 1968.

President Abdullah al-Sallal worked hard to make the new republic strong. He talked with important tribal leaders to gain their support.

Later, al-Sallal was removed from power in a peaceful change of leadership. This was led by Abdul Rahman Al-Iryani. After this, al-Sallal went to live in Egypt. He stayed there until the early 1980s. Then, President Ali Abdullah Saleh invited him to come back to Yemen.

Al-Sallal also served as Prime Minister several times. He held both the President and Prime Minister titles when the republic first started. This was until April 26, 1963. He then appointed Abdul Latif Dayfallah as Prime Minister. Al-Sallal also served as Prime Minister briefly in 1965 and again from September 18, 1966, until his presidency ended.

Abdul Rahman al-Eryani, who became president after al-Sallal in 1967, was also Prime Minister in 1963 and 1964. Another important figure, Hassan al-Amri, held the Prime Minister position three times.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Abdulá al-Sallal para niños

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