The Presidential Palace, also known as the Republican Palace, was the official residence of the President of Yemen. It was located in the al-Sabeen neighborhood of southern Sana'a, Yemen, near Saleh Mosque and al-Sabeen Square (where many pro-Ali Abdullah Saleh political rallies and military parades were held when Ali Abdullah Saleh was in power). The palace area was a heavy security zone, guarded by the Presidential Defense Forces (formerly the Republican Guard) and was not open to the public.
On June 3, 2011, during the 2011 Yemeni Revolution, the Presidential Palace was subject to an assassination attack on President Saleh and many government and state officials by opposition tribesmen. It left Saleh injured and seven other top government officials wounded. Saleh, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the parliament chief, the governor of Sana'a and a presidential aide were wounded while they were praying at a mosque inside the palace compound.[1] Four presidential guards[2] and Sheikh Ali Mohsen al-Matari, an imam at the mosque, were killed.[3]
On January 20, 2015, the palace was taken over by the Houthis rebel group. President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi was present but was not harmed.[4]
On May 7, 2018, targeted airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition left the palace "completely flattened" and damaged surrounding buildings. At least six fatalities and thirty injuries are reported.[5]
Notes
edit- ^ Jamjoom, Mohammed "[1]." CNN, 8 June 2011.
- ^ [2], Deseret News, 3 June 2011
- ^ [3], CNN
- ^ "Yemen Houthi rebels 'seize presidential palace'". BBC News. 20 January 2015.
- ^ "Saudi airstrikes hit presidency building in Yemen, killing 6". 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
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