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First Major Demonstration
16,000 protesters took the streets of Yemen’s capital Sana’a demanding Yemeni President Ali Abdullah to step down. Protesters waved Yemen’s flag and carried posters saying, “We have had enough corruption” and “We are next". Many of the protesters were inspired by Tunisia’s revolution. -
Day of Rage
Thousands of Yemen protesters came in Sana’a came together for what they called a “Day of Rage”, which were demonstrations against the government’s constitutional amendment that allowed President Saleh to run for another term. On the same day the president then gave a speech. -
The Presidents Annoucement
President Saleh announced that he would not try to run for the 2013 re-election or give power to his son after more than three decades in office, and end his power at the end of the term. He had also told his political opponents that he hopes they reach a sustainable political agreement. -
More Protests and Demonstrations
More protests and demonstrations occurred in the capital Sana’a within these weeks raising the death toll of protestors. Many college students were involved in the protests, demonstrating at universities clashing with troops and forcing, with the President Saleh to respond, by calling a state of emergency. The protestors made it clear they wanted Saleh out of office as soon as possible rather than the end of the term. -
Presidents Refusal
President Saleh was scheduled to sign a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries and its purpose is to achieve unity among it members, brokered deal but rejected it. The deal proposed that he leave office after a month. Upon his rejection he was warned of a civil war. -
Battle of Sana’a and Zinijibar
Just a day after Saleh's refusal to sign the GCC deal, tribal militiamen and civilians took to the streets to fight armed supports and security forces in Sana’a. Heavy street fighting occurred killing about 120 people. Militants in Zinijibar, city in the south of Yemen, captured army tanks and armed vehicles and clashed with Islam fighters with more killings happening raising the death toll to 200 in this area. -
Attempted Assignation
A bombing occurred at the presidential palace attempting to kill president Saleh, it left him injured and seven other top government officials’ wounded. Saleh was flown to Saudi Arabia to be further treated for his wounds and then returned. Two of the biggest oppositions figures were accused of coming up with the plot. -
Resignation
President Saleh signs GCC planPresident Saleh flew back to Saudi Arabia and agreed to step down and sign the GCC plan for political transition, which he had previously rejected. He also agreed to transfer power to Vice President Abdu-Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi, in exchange of immunity from prosecution for him and his family. Celebrations erupted in the capital Sana’ after the agreement. -
Immunity Law
The Assembly of Representatives of Yemen approved the immunity law granting the outgoing President Saleh and his aids immunity from prosecution. It also nominated Vice President Hadi as a candidate for the upcoming 2012 presidential elections. Saleh left Yemen the next day to the U.S. to seek medical attention. -
2012 Presiedntial Elections
Yemen 2012 Presidential Elections The 2012 presidential elections took place and with only one candidate, the former vice president Abdu-Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi. A few days later, Hadi was sworn into office, and Saleh flew back to Yemen to watch al-Hadi’s presidential inauguration.
