Death of Yemeni President Hadi: Crown Prince offers condolences and praises his stances
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, made a telephone call to Mr. Nasser Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, during which he offered his sincere condolences on the death of his father, His Excellency the former Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. His Royal Highness expressed the Kingdom's deep appreciation for the historic stances taken by the deceased in defense of Yemen, its unity, and its stability, praying to God Almighty to have mercy on him and grant him Paradise.
This condolence reflects the depth of the fraternal and historical relations that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Yemen, and confirms the great appreciation that the Saudi leadership has for the personality of Yemeni President Hadi, who led his country through one of the most delicate and difficult phases in its modern history.
A pivotal stage in the history of Yemen
President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi assumed power in Yemen in 2012 following a popular uprising, during a transitional period aimed at achieving political stability and rebuilding state institutions. However, challenges quickly escalated with the military expansion of the Houthi group, culminating in their takeover of the capital, Sana'a, in September 2014, and the placement of the president and government officials under house arrest. In a courageous move, President Hadi managed to escape the siege and relocate to Aden, which he declared the country's temporary capital, from where he began a new phase of resistance to uphold constitutional legitimacy.
Appreciation for the positions of Yemeni President Hadi and his role in preserving legitimacy
Faced with the existential threat to the Yemeni state, President Hadi made his historic decision in March 2015 to request support from his brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, foremost among them the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for military intervention to deter the Houthi aggression and restore legitimacy. The Kingdom responded to this appeal, leading an Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen through the launch of Operation Decisive Storm, an operation that marked a turning point in the crisis and reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to the security and stability of its southern neighbor. This courageous stance by President Hadi is what the Saudi leadership values today, as he placed the interests of his country and people above all else and sought by all available means to protect Yemen from falling into the hands of foreign-backed militias.
A legacy for the future
President Hadi continued to lead the legitimate government for years before making another politically astute decision in April 2022: transferring his full powers to the Presidential Leadership Council. This move aimed to unify ranks and pave the way for a comprehensive political solution to the crisis. The Crown Prince's condolences today reaffirm that the Kingdom does not forget the stances of its allies and appreciates the sacrifices made by leaders who stood with right and legitimacy. At the same time, it renews the Kingdom's full support for the Presidential Leadership Council and all efforts aimed at achieving peace, security, and prosperity for the brotherly Yemeni people.
