The Saudi Crown Prince offers condolences to Ahmed Ali Saleh: Political implications of a pivotal moment
In a significant move carrying important political implications, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense, sent a cable of condolences to Mr. Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh on the death of his father, former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. This message of condolence comes at a critical juncture in Yemen's modern history, as the Saudi Crown Prince is offering his condolences to a figure increasingly seen as a potential political successor to his father in leading the General People's Congress party. This lends the gesture a strategic dimension that transcends mere expressions of sympathy.
Background to the Yemeni scene and the killing of Saleh
To understand the significance of this cable, it is essential to return to the context in which it was sent. Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed in December 2017 by his former allies, the Houthi group, just days after he announced the end of their partnership and called for a new chapter with neighboring countries and the Arab Coalition supporting the legitimate government in Yemen. His death was a major shock to the Yemeni political scene, as Saleh had been a pivotal player in Yemeni politics for over three decades and enjoyed considerable influence within the military and tribal establishments.
Saleh's alliance with the Houthis, formed in 2014, was a temporary marriage of convenience aimed at overthrowing the internationally recognized government. However, tensions between the two sides quickly escalated due to disagreements over influence and power-sharing, culminating in armed clashes in the capital, Sana'a, which ultimately led to Saleh's death as he attempted to flee the city.
Saudi Crown Prince offers condolences: Political dimensions and regional messages
The condolence message sent by the Saudi Crown Prince was not merely a matter of protocol. It was a clear political message from Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Arab coalition, indicating that it views Saleh's supporters and his party (the General People's Congress) as a potential partner in confronting the Iranian-backed Houthi influence. Analysts interpreted this move as a signal of support for Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was residing in the United Arab Emirates, to assume a leading role in unifying the ranks of the Republican Guard and the General People's Congress against the Houthis.
This gesture offered hope for a reshaping of the military and political alliances on the ground in Yemen. It was believed that Saleh's killing by the Houthis would trigger a widespread uprising by his supporters and tribes, and that the coalition's support for this movement could significantly alter the course of the war. Therefore, the Crown Prince's condolences were not only directed at the family of the deceased, but also implicitly called on forces loyal to Saleh to join the legitimate government, affirming that past differences could be set aside in pursuit of the shared goal of restoring the Yemeni state.
