Former Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, a key figure during Yemen’s civil war and political transition, passed away at the age of 80 in Riyadh, as reported by Yemen TV. Hadi, who took office in 2012 following the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, played a significant role in Yemen’s tumultuous period.
Born in 1945 in Abyan, Hadi climbed the ranks to become vice president in 1994 before assuming the presidency in 2012 under a Gulf-backed transition plan. Despite efforts to restructure Yemen’s military and security forces, his presidency faced challenges as Houthi forces gained control of key institutions in Sanaa.
In 2015, Hadi resigned after being placed under house arrest by Houthi fighters but later retracted his resignation and sought foreign intervention. A Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the Houthis, leading to a prolonged conflict and humanitarian crisis. In 2022, Hadi transferred his powers to a Presidential Leadership Council to address the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Yemen remains divided between the Houthi-controlled north and the internationally recognised government in Aden, reflecting the complex political landscape in the country.
