Abdullah al-Sallal

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Abdullah al-Sallal

Role / Field:

Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.

Born:

1917-01-09

Died:

1994-03-05

Century / Era:

1917s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Abdullah Yahya al-Sallal (Arabic: عبد الله يحيى السلال, romanized: ʿAbd Allāh Yaḥyā as-Sallāl; 9 January 1917 – 5 March 1994) was a Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who was the leader of the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962 and served as the first president of the Yemen Arab Republic from 27 September 1962 until his removal on 5 November 1967. His government abolished slavery in Yemen. Al-Sallal was born in the village of Sha'asan, Sanhan district, in Sanaa Governorate. His father died when he was young. Al-Sallal was sent to the only orphanage in Sanaa, known as the Orphan School, which later became famous for raising many of Yemen's greatest patriots and some of the most influential politicians of that era.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In the late 1930s, he completed his military education in Baghdad, Iraq. He became a second lieutenant at this time. Though not a member of the social elite in Yemen, Al-Sallal was widely respected by the military community as a competent and brazen officer despite being the son of a butcher, a profession looked down upon prior to the revolution. Al-Sallal led the revolutionary forces that deposed King Muhammad al-Badr and brought the Kingdom of Yemen to an end. He presided over the newly founded Yemen Arab Republic (YAR), with close ties to Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt which served as the Yemen Arab Republic's strongest ally in the war against the Saudi Arabian-backed royalists that lasted into 1970.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Yemen's President Abdullah al-Sallal negotiated with tribal leaders after the revolution to help cement the republic. He was later ousted in a bloodless coup led by Abdul Rahman Al-Iryani and exiled to Egypt, where he remained until President Ali Abdullah Saleh invited him to return in the early 1980s. Six different men held the position of Prime Minister under Al-Sallal, including Al-Sallal himself three times. He held both titles from the formation of the republic until 26 April 1963, when he appointed Abdul Latif Dayfallah, as well as briefly in 1965 and from 18 September 1966 until the end of his presidency. At the time, he participated in the 2nd Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cairo in 1964.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1917 (1917-01-09): Birth of Abdullah al-Sallal — Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
2. 1963: 1963 Milestone — He held both titles from the formation of the republic until 26 April 1963, when he appointed Abdul Latif Dayfallah, as well as briefly in 1965 and from 18 September 1966 until the end of his presidency.
3. 1964: 1964 Milestone — At the time, he participated in the 2nd Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cairo in 1964.
4. 1970: 1970 Milestone — He presided over the newly founded Yemen Arab Republic (YAR), with close ties to Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt which served as the Yemen Arab Republic's strongest ally in the war against the Saudi Arabian-backed royalists that lasted into 1970.
5. 1994 (1994-03-05): Passing & Historical Legacy — Abdullah al-Sallal passed away on 1994-03-05, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Abdullah al-Sallal

True or False: “Did Abdullah al-Sallal's government abolish slavery in Yemen?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The provided text explicitly states that his government abolished slavery in Yemen upon taking power.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Abdullah al-Sallal