Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Political and media circles mourned on Thursday the death of former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who passed away in a hospital in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, at the age of 81. This came after a long battle with illness and a sudden deterioration in his health in recent days.
The end of a journey full of twists and turns
Sources close to the late president confirmed that his health had deteriorated sharply during the last week, as Hadi suffered from chronic heart problems. His condition necessitated frequent and unannounced trips to the United States for treatment and regular medical checkups in Cleveland. The sources indicated that he passed away at 6:00 AM on Thursday, despite intensive medical efforts that ultimately failed to save his life.
It is worth noting that Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi has resided in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, since 2015, following the Houthi militia’s takeover of the capital, Sana’a, and their coup against state institutions and constitutional legitimacy. Hadi remained a central figure in the Yemeni political landscape for many years. In April 2022, his political career concluded with the transfer of all his powers to the Presidential Leadership Council, a move aimed at restructuring the internal affairs of the Yemeni government.
Military and political career
Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi was born on September 1, 1945, in the village of Dhakin, in the Al-Wadi’a district of Abyan Governorate (formerly part of the Fadhli Sultanate). Hadi grew up in a simple rural environment. Later, he decided to join the military, embarking on an exceptional career honed by the highest military academic degrees from prestigious international academies.
The late president received his military education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain, graduating in 1966. Not content with this, he continued his military studies, earning a Master of Military Science degree (specializing in tank warfare) from the Nasser Military Academy in Egypt in 1970. Furthermore, he completed his higher education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Military Leadership from the Frunze Military Academy in the former Soviet Union. As a result, he became one of the most prominent military leaders in the history of modern Yemen.
His legacy in the nation’s memory
As the second president of the Republic of Yemen, Hadi left a clear mark on the country’s modern history, facing formidable challenges during his presidency, which coincided with political divisions and internal conflicts.
With his passing today, the chapter closes on a controversial yet influential figure. He witnessed major transformations, from the unification of the country to the recent years of conflict. He thus leaves behind a long political and military legacy that historians will undoubtedly examine closely when discussing the post-2011 era in Yemen.
