TEHRAN – A Yemeni security commander said Yemen’s fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi has been put under a house arrest in Saudi Arabia. Since Hadi last left Yemen in February, he has repeatedly sent written requests to Saudi King Salman asking to return. None was processed, said the commander, speaking on the condition […]
TEHRAN – A Yemeni security commander said Yemen’s fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi has been put under a house arrest in Saudi Arabia.
Since Hadi last left Yemen in February, he has repeatedly sent written requests to Saudi King Salman asking to return. None was processed, said the commander, speaking on the condition of anonymity, according to AP.
In August, Hadi even went to Riyadh airport, planning to return to his temporary capital, Aden, in southern Yemen – but he was turned back from the airport, he added.
“The Saudis have imposed a form of house arrest on them,” the commander said. “When Hadi asks to go, they respond it’s not safe for him to return as there are plotters who want to take his life and Saudis fear for his life.”
Two other Yemeni officials confirmed Hadi, his sons and several ministers with him in Riyadh have been prevented from going to Yemen.
Initially, the passports of several of Hadi’s officials were seized – though not Hadi’s – the commander said. They were given their passports back but they still cannot leave, he said.
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies have been carrying out deadly airstrikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in Yemen in an attempt to restore power to Hadi, an ally of Riyadh.
Over 14,000 Yemenis, including women and children, have lost their lives in the deadly military campaign.
