Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar
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علي محسن صالح الأحمر
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Mohsen in 2018
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| 3rd Vice President of Yemen | |
| In office 4 April 2016 – 7 April 2022 |
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| President | Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi |
| Preceded by | Khaled Bahah |
| Succeeded by | Seven deputy chairmen of the Presidential Leadership Council, including Aidarus al-Zoubaidi and Tareq Saleh |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar
June 20, 1945 Sanhan, Sana'a Governorate, North Yemen |
| Political party | General People's Congress |
| Relations | Ali Abdullah Saleh (Distant cousin) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (1961–1962) Yemen Arab Republic (1962–1990) Yemen (1990–present) |
| Branch/service |  Yemen Army |
| Years of service | 1961–Present |
| Rank |
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| Commands | North-Western Military District 2011–2012 1st Armoured Division 1987–2011 |
| Battles/wars |
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Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar (born June 20, 1945) is a Yemeni military leader and politician. He served as the Vice President of Yemen from 2016 to 2022. He is a lieutenant general in the Yemeni Army.
He commanded the northwestern military district and the 1st Armoured Division. He also played a key role in starting the General People's Congress political party.
In February 2016, he was made Deputy Supreme Commander of the Yemeni Armed Forces. Then, in April 2016, President Hadi appointed him Vice President. This decision was seen as a way to use military strength to take back control of the capital city. Mohsen had strong connections with tribal leaders around Sana'a and with military commanders.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar was born in Sanhan, a town near Sana'a. He went to school there for his primary and secondary education. He is not part of the famous al-Ahmar ruling family of the Hashid tribe.
Military Training
In 1961, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar joined the 4th Military brigade of the Army of the Kingdom of Yemen. He became a first lieutenant in the Army of the Yemen Arab Republic in 1968. He fought in the North Yemen Civil War from 1962 to 1967, supporting the Republican side.
He attended the Yemen Military Academy in 1971 and earned his bachelor's degree in 1974. After graduating, he was promoted to captain. He continued to rise through the ranks, becoming a major general in 2007.
On February 22, 2016, President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi promoted him to Lieutenant Colonel. He was also appointed as the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Yemen Armed Forces. On April 7, 2022, a presidential order removed him from his position as Vice President.
Career
Political and Military Roles
Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar began his military career in 1970 as a leader of an infantry company. In 1975, he became a commander of a tank company. By 1977, he was leading an independent tank battalion.
He was close to Ali Abdullah Saleh starting in 1973. When Saleh became president in 1978, Mohsen was promoted to full colonel in 1979. He was given command of an Armoured Brigade. In 1983, he became the Chief of Staff of the 1st Armoured Division.
He was appointed commander of the North-Western Military District in 1995. In 2001, he became commander of both the 1st Armoured Division and the North-Western Military District. In 2013, he became the President's Advisor for Defence and Security Affairs.
In 2004, President Ali Abdullah Saleh asked him to lead military actions against the Houthis. Mohsen also helped establish the General People's Congress party in 1980. He was a member of its main committee for many years.
Mohsen played an important part in the Yemeni unification process. He helped combine and reorganize the armed forces after Yemen became one country. He also worked with a joint Yemeni-Saudi military committee to solve border issues.
He was known to support a more religious approach to politics. He had strong supporters in Saudi Arabia.
Vice Presidency
On April 3, 2016, President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi appointed Mohsen as the Vice President of Yemen. After becoming Vice President, he helped lead military efforts against the Houthis. He oversaw many battles, including those in Marib, Midi, Taiz, and Shabwah.
In October 2017, Mohsen led a meeting for the Security Taskforce. This group was formed to fight against terrorism in Yemen. Ali Mohsen became the head of this counter-terrorism group, which included the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He worked with the group to share security and intelligence knowledge. They also coordinated to build military units to fight terrorism and stop smugglers.
2011 Revolution
The "Friday of Dignity" massacre happened in Sana'a in 2011. This was during protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. After Friday prayers, gunmen shot at demonstrators for over three hours. About 45 people were killed, and around 200 were injured. Many of the injured were shot in the head or chest by skilled snipers.
Reports said that relations between Saleh and Mohsen had become difficult years before the protests. This was due to rivalries with Saleh's sons. There was even a rumored attempt by President Saleh to have Mohsen killed.
On March 21, 2011, Mohsen announced he would protect the anti-government protesters. Other top Yemeni army commanders joined him. President Saleh called this action "mutinous."
In December 2012, President Hadi removed Mohsen from his position. This was part of Hadi's plan to reorganize the military. The forces Mohsen commanded, like the First Armoured Division, became part of the Defence Ministry.
2014 Houthi Takeover of Sana'a
In September 2014, armed clashes started in Sana'a between Houthi fighters and some army units led by Mohsen. After four days of fighting, Mohsen moved towards the headquarters of Military Region VI. This was the former First Armored Division, which Mohsen used to lead.
He did not follow orders from the president and defense minister. He led the battles against the Houthis himself. However, Mohsen did not win these battles. Within two days, the Houthis controlled most major government buildings in Sana'a. This included the state television, radio, prime minister's office, and the Ministry of Defense.
After the Takeover
After the Houthi takeover of Sana'a, it was rumored that Mohsen had left Yemen for Saudi Arabia. It was later confirmed that the Saudi Embassy in Sana'a helped him leave for Saudi Arabia. His homes in Sana'a were then taken over by Houthi fighters.
2015 Yemeni Civil War
After leaving Yemen, Mohsen returned in December 2015. He led military operations in Yemen's northern Hajjah Governorate. In 2016, he moved his headquarters to Ma'rib Governorate.
Since becoming Vice President in 2016, he played a key role in leading battles against the Houthis. He oversaw many important campaigns, including the Ma'rib campaign, the Battle of Port Midi, the Taiz campaign, and battles in Shabwah Governorate.
Mohsen regularly met with ambassadors from the USA, UK, and countries from the Gulf Initiative. He supported the peace talks held in Kuwait in April 2016.
See also
- 1994 Yemeni Civil War
- 2011 Yemeni Revolution
