Yemeni upheaval occurring simultaneously with the Arab Spring (2011)
This article is about the Yemeni revolution of 2011–2012. For other uses, see Yemeni revolution (disambiguation).
Yemeni revolution
Part of the Arab Spring and the Yemeni Crisis
Tens of thousands of protesters marching to Sana'a University, joined for the first time by opposition parties
Date
27 January 2011 (2011-01-27) – 27 February 2012 (2012-02-27) (1 year and 1 month)
Location
Yemen
Caused by
Dictatorship
Authoritarianism
Unemployment
Poverty
Economic conditions
Political corruption[1]
Government's proposals to modify the Constitution of Yemen to make Saleh president for life[2]
Human rights violations
Inspiration from concurrent regional protests
Methods
Civil disobedience
Civil resistance
Demonstrations
Riots
Self-immolations
Strike actions
Mutiny
Defection
Insurgency
Non-violent revolutions
Army defections
Armed confrontations between Hashid militiamen and loyalist soldiers.
Social Media activism
Resulted in
Overthrow of Saleh government
Resignation of Prime Minister Mujawar
Resignation of MPs from the ruling party[3]
Occupation of several regions and cities in Yemen by Al-Qaeda and Houthi rebels
Restructure of the military forces by sacking several of its leaders[4]
Approval of President's immunity from prosecution by Yemeni legislators[5]
One candidate Presidential election held to replace Saleh as the new president of Yemen; Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi elected and inaugurated
Parties
Opposition:
Joint Meeting Parties[6]
Al-Islah[7]
Yemeni Socialist Party[7]
Southern Movement[8]
Houthis[9]
Student activists[10]
Hashid[11]
Alliance of Yemeni Tribes[12]
Defected soldiers[13]
Civil Bloc[14]
National Dialogue Committee[15]
Government:
General People's Congress
Yemen Army
Yemeni Police Force
Central Security Organization
Republican Guards
Yemeni Air Force
Pro-Government Tribes
Lead figures
Sadiq al-Ahmar Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar Hameed Al-Qushaibi Ali Salem al Beidh Abdul Malik al-Houthi
Ali Abdullah Saleh Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi Ahmed Saleh Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani Ahmed bin Saeed Ali Nasser Gatami †
Casualties
Death(s)
2,000 (by 18 March 2012)[16]
Injuries
22,000[16]
Arrested
1,000[17]
This article is part of series on
Politics of Yemen
Member State of the Arab League
Constitution
Legal system
Human rights
LGBT rights
Executive
Presidential Leadership Council (in Aden)
Chairman:
Rashad al-Alimi
Deputy Chairman:
Sultan Ali al-Arada
Aidarus al-Zoubaidi
Tareq Saleh
Abdullah al-Alimi Bawazeer
Abed al-Rahman Abu Zara’a
Othman Hussein Megali
Faraj Salmin Al-Buhsani
Supreme Political Council (in Sanaa)
Chairman: Mahdi al-Mashat
Prime Minister
Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed (in Aden)
Abdel-Aziz bin Habtour (in Sanaa)
Cabinet
Legislature
House of Representatives
Speaker: Sultan al-Barakani (in Seiyun)
Shura Council
Administrative divisions
Governorates
Districts
Elections
Recent elections
Presidential: 2012
next
Parliamentary: 2003
next
Political parties
Foreign relations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister
Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak (in Aden)
Hisham Sharaf (in Sanaa)
Diplomatic missions of / in Yemen
Passport
Visa requirements
Visa policy
Yemen portal
Other countries
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This article is part of a series about Ali Abdullah Saleh
Unitary Government
Presidency
Cabinets (Attas 1990, Abdulghani 1994, Bin Ghanem 1997, Iryani 1998, Bajamal I, Bajamal II, Mujawar 2007)
General People's Congress (GPC)
Yemeni unification
Yemeni Civil War (1994)
Hanish Islands conflict
Yemeni crisis (2011–present)
Yemeni Revolution
Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
Presidential campaigns
1999
2006
Constitutional referendums
1991
2001
Related
Ahmed Saleh
v
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e
Part of a series on the Yemeni crisis
Main topics
Yemeni Revolution
2012 Yemeni presidential election
Houthi insurgency
al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen
South Yemen insurgency
Houthi takeover in Yemen
Aftermath of the Houthi takeover in Yemen
Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
COVID-19 pandemic
Background
History of Yemen
Yemeni unification
Yemeni peace process
Human rights in Yemen
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v
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Internal conflicts in modern Yemen
Alwaziri coup
Yemeni–Adenese clan violence
North Yemen Civil War
Aden Emergency
Yemenite War of 1972
NDF Rebellion
Yemenite War of 1979
South Yemen Civil War
Yemeni Civil War (1994)
Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen
Houthi insurgency in Yemen
South Yemen insurgency
Yemeni Crisis
Yemeni Revolution
Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
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Yemeni revolution
Timeline
2011
Jan – 2 Jun
3 Jun – 22 Sep
23 Sep – Dec
2012
Jan – Feb
Saada
Sanaa
Taiz
Dammaj
v
t
e
Yemeni crisis
Revolution (2011–12)
Saada
Sana'a
Taiz
Dammaj
Ansar al-Shariah campaign (2011–14)
Zinjibar
Dofas
Abyan
2012 Sana'a
Radda
Nov 2013 Sanaa
Dec 2013 Sana'a
Rescue operations
Houthi rebellion (2014)
2nd Dammaj
Amran
Civil war (2014–present)
2nd Battle of Sana'a
Rada'a [ar]
Houthi takeover
1st Shabwah
Saudi-led intervention
Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict
Taiz
Marib governorate
Marib city
Dhale
Aden
airport
2015
2018
2019
Abyan
2015 campaign
2016 southern offensive
Lahij
2015 Shabwah
2015 Mukalla
Zinjibar and Jaar
Nihm
Port Midi
Hadramaut
Al Masini
Battle of Mukalla
June 2016 Mukalla
2017 Battle of Sana'a
Al Hudaydah
Al Hudaydah city
Masini
Takeover of Socotra
Victory from God
Jabara
Al-Jawf offensive
Al Bayda offensive
2022 Southern Yemen
Operation Prosperity Guardian
Bombings and terrorist attacks in Yemen
Radda
Ibb
Jan 2015 Sana'a
Mar 2015 Sana'a
Sep 2015 Sana'a
Oct 2015 Aden
Dec 2015 Aden
4 Mar 2016 Aden
25 Mar 2016 Aden
May 2016 Mukalla
May 2016 Aden
Aug 2016 Aden
Dec 2016 Aden
Mar 2022 Aden
Mar 2024 al-Bayda
Houthi missile and drone attacks in Yemen
2015 Marib
2015 Taiz
2016 al-Anad
2019 al-Anad
Aug 2019 Aden
Jan 2020 Marib
Aug 2020 Marib
Dec 2020 Aden airport
US–Saudi arms deal
Peace process
Saudi-led intervention (2015–present)
Saudi Arabian airstrikes on Yemen
Mokha
Sana'a
Hajjah
Dahyan
Dhamar
Saada
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
2018 Riyadh
Abha Airport
Abqaiq–Khurais
2020 Riyadh
Houthi attacks on the United Arab Emirates
2022 Abu Dhabi
U.S. raids on al-Qaeda
Yakla
Hathla
Red Sea crisis (2024–present)
Timeline
Attacks
Attacks on the MV Maersk Hangzhou
2023 attack on the Chem Pluto
Marlin Luanda missile strike
Sinking of the MV Rubymar
Military operations
Operation Prosperity Guardian
Operation Aspides
Operation Poseidon Archer
Diplomacy
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2722
Effects
Environmental impact
Humanitarian crisis
Blockade
Disease outbreaks
Cholera
COVID-19
Famine
Locust infestation
Refugees on Jeju Island
War crimes and human rights violations
The Yemeni revolution (or Yemeni intifada)[18] followed the initial stages of the Tunisian Revolution and occurred simultaneously with the 2011 Egyptian revolution[19] and other Arab Spring protests in the Middle East and North Africa. In its early phase, protests in Yemen were initially against unemployment, economic conditions[2] and corruption,[1] as well as against the government's proposals to modify Yemen's constitution. The protesters' demands then escalated to calls for the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Mass defections from the military, as well as from Saleh's government, effectively rendered much of the country outside of the government's control, and protesters vowed to defy its authority.
A major demonstration of over 16,000 protesters took place in Sanaʽa, Yemen's capital, on 27 January.[20] On 2 February, Saleh announced he would not run for reelection in 2013 and that he would not pass power to his son. On 3 February, 20,000 people protested against the government in Sanaʽa,[21][22] while others protested in Aden,[23] a southern Yemeni seaport city, in a "Day of Rage" called for by Tawakel Karman,[24] while soldiers, armed members of the General People's Congress and many protesters held a pro-government rally in Sanaʽa.[25] In a "Friday of Anger" on 18 February, tens of thousands of Yemenis took part in anti-government demonstrations in Taiz, Sanaʽa and Aden. On a "Friday of No Return" on 11 March, protesters called for Saleh's ousting in Sanaʽa where three people were killed. More protests were held in other cities, including Mukalla, where one person was killed. On 18 March, protesters in Sanaʽa were fired upon, resulting in 52 deaths and ultimately culminating in mass defections and resignations.[26]
Starting in late April, Saleh agreed to a Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered deal, only to back away hours before the scheduled signing three times. After the third time, on 22 May, the GCC declared it was suspending its efforts to mediate in Yemen.[27] On 23 May, a day after Saleh refused to sign the transition agreement, Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the head of the Hashid tribal federation, one of the most powerful tribes in the country, declared support for the opposition and his armed supporters came into conflict with loyalist security forces in the capital Sanaʽa. Heavy street fighting ensued, which included artillery and mortar shelling.[28][29][30] Saleh and several others were injured and at least five people were killed by a 3 June bombing of the presidential compound when an explosion ripped through a mosque used by high-level government officials for prayer services.[31] Reports conflicted as to whether the attack was caused by shelling or a planted bomb.[32] The next day, Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi took over as acting president[33] while Saleh flew to Saudi Arabia to be treated. The crowds celebrated Saleh's transfer of power, but Yemeni officials insisted that Saleh's absence was temporary and he would soon return to Yemen to resume his duties of office.[34]
In early July the government rejected the opposition's demands, including the formation of a transitional council with the goal of formally transferring power from the current administration to a caretaker government intended to oversee Yemen's first-ever democratic elections. In response, factions of the opposition announced the formation of their own 17-member transitional council on 16 July, though the Joint Meeting Parties that have functioned as an umbrella for many of the Yemeni opposition groups during the uprising said the council did not represent them and did not match their "plan" for the country.[35]
On 23 November, Saleh signed a power-transfer agreement brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, under which he would transfer his power to his vice-president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, within 30 days and leave his post as president by February 2012, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.[36][37] Although the GCC deal was accepted by the JMP, it was rejected by many of the protesters and the Houthis.[38][39] A presidential election was held in Yemen on 21 February 2012, with Hadi running unopposed. A report claims that the election had a 65% turnout, with Hadi receiving 99.8% of the vote. Hadi took the oath of office in Yemen's parliament on 25 February 2012. Saleh returned home on the same day to attend Hadi's inauguration.[40] After months of protests, Saleh resigned from the presidency on 27 February 2012 and formally transferred power to his successor, marking the end of his 33-year rule.[41]
^ ab
"Yemen Protests: 'People Are Fed Up with Corruption'". BBC News. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
^ abCite error: The named reference afreuters was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Yemen MPs resign over violence Archived 23 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Al Jazeera, 23 February 2011.
^"Military restructuring in Yemen: Unravelling a tangled web | Comment Middle East". Commentmideast.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^Kasinof, Laura (21 January 2012). "Yemen Legislators Approve Immunity for the President". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
^JMP Archived 3 February 2011 at Archive-It. Armiesofliberation.com.
^ ab"Yemen's Brotherhood: Early Losses and an Unknown Future". Al-Monitor. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
^South Yemen movement Protests Archived 10 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Adenyouth.wordpress.com (28 April 2011).
^The crucible of Yemen Archived 25 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera.net.
^YEMEN: Student protests gather strength after deaths Archived 24 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Universityworldnews.com (27 February 2011).
^Associates, Menas. (24 May 2011) YEMEN: Hashid tribe clashes with security forces Archived 1 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Menasassociates.blogspot.com.
^Yemeni tribes form coalition against Saleh. The Straits Times. Archived 21 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
^"10,000 Yemeni forces defect from government, join protesters: official". Xinhua News Agency. 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 17 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
^Johnston, Cynthia (24 March 201). "Yemen Forces Clash over Saleh Before Friday Protest". Reuters. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
^"The Yemeni National Dialog Committee Issues Vision for National Salvation". Armies of Liberation. 20 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
^ abYemen says more than 2,000 killed in uprising Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. The Washington Post. (19 March 2012).
^report: Over 1,000 missing, possibly tortured[dead link], 8 November 2011
^Fattah, Khaled (2011). "Yemen: A Social Intifada in a Republic of Sheikhs". Middle East Policy. 18 (3): 79–85. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4967.2011.00499.x.
^Cite error: The named reference Thousands call was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Irish Times breaking26 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Daragahi, Borzou; Browning, Noah (3 February 2011). "Tens of Thousands Turn Out for Rival Rallies in Yemen". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
^Cite error: The named reference bbc_20k was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference aljaz_aden was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Feb3_DayRage_aljaz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference oneindia_armedGPC_progov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Yemen president Saleh fights to keep grip on power" Archived 16 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine. The Star (Malaysia).
^"Yemen transition deal collapses". Al Jazeera. 22 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
^"Yemen's president vows to resist 'failed state' as tribes press offensive against regime". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
^Tribal fighters occupy government buildings in Yemen Archived 10 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. CNN.
^Fighting grips Yemeni capital as Saleh orders arrests Archived 18 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Alternet.org.
^Yemen palace shelled; sheikh, guards killed, president, PM hurt Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine. CNN.
^"40% من جسم صالح مصاب". Al Jazeera. 10 June 2011. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
^Al-Hadi acting President of Yemen Archived 27 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera.net (4 June 2011).
^Yemeni crowds celebrate after president transfers power, flies to Saudi Arabia Archived 19 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. The Washington Post. (5 June 2011).
^"Yemen protesters set up transitional council". Reuters. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
^Yemen's Saleh signs deal to quit power Archived 20 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Daily Star (Lebanon) (23 November 2011).
^Yemen leader signs power-transfer deal Archived 20 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera.
^"Process of withdrawing troops and armed tribesmen started for enhancing peace and normalizing life in Yemen". Yobserver.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^"Fars News Agency :: Houthis' Leader: US, Allies Plot to Spark Sectarian Rift in Yemen". English.farsnews.ir. 20 December 2011. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^Kasinof, Laura (25 February 2012). "Yemen Swears in New President to the Sound of Applause, and Violence". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
^"AFP: Yemen's Saleh formally steps down after 33 years". 27 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
The Yemenirevolution (or Yemeni intifada) followed the initial stages of the Tunisian Revolution and occurred simultaneously with the 2011 Egyptian revolution...
timeline of the Yemenirevolution spans the following four articles related to the Yemenirevolution: Timeline of the Yemenirevolution (January – 2 June...
Saudi Arabia and Iran, Yemen again was engulfed in civil war, which continues to this day. The North Yemeni rial and the South Yemeni dinar remained legal...
in Yemen, also known as the September 21 Revolution (by supporters), or 2014–15 coup d'état (by opponents), was a popular revolution against Yemeni President...
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them: "The people of Yemen have come to you. They are weaker in heart and softer in understanding, faith is Yemeni and wisdom is Yemeni." But the rest of...
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اليمنية" [Yemeni Armed Forces]. areq.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 June 2022. Ahmed Ali, Ahmed Hassan al-Zari. The establishment of the Yemeni army and...
in the YemeniRevolution of 2011 by participating in street protests and coordinating with other Yemeni opposition groups. They joined Yemen's National...
currently headquartered in Yemen, of which four are state-owned. The Yemeni film industry is in its early stages; only eight Yemeni films have been released...
the Yemeni government. The political movement behind the so-called 'insurgency' is a group called the Southern Movement. Led by exiled South Yemeni leaders...
involving the Republic of Yemen and its predecessor states. Halliday, Fred (2002). Revolution and Foreign Policy: The Case of South Yemen, 1967-1987. Cambridge...
subsequently became the president of the Yemeni Republic. In 2012, after Saleh stepped down as a result of the YemeniRevolution, part of the wider Arab Spring...
to as "Intifada": Tunisian Revolution, or Tunisian Intifada YemeniRevolution, or Yemeni Intifada 2011 Egyptian revolution, or Egyptian Intifada 2011–2013...
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International reactions to the Yemenirevolution were not as pronounced as reactions to similar events during the Arab Spring, but a number of governments...