Barran Press
Dozens of residents from Al-Jawf Governorate in Yemen staged a protest on Thursday, August 15, 2024, demanding the release of Major General Ali Mohsen Al-Hadi, the Assistant Chief of Operations for the Yemeni Army, who has been detained in Saudi Arabia for months.
The protesters, who included several prominent sheikhs and tribal leaders from Al-Jawf and other Yemeni tribes, held up pictures of General Al-Hadi and banners praising his heroic contributions and his long history of fighting for the rule of law and against the Houthi insurgency, which is internationally designated as a terrorist group.
A statement issued by the protesters, a copy of which was obtained by "Barran Press," stated that Saudi authorities detained General Al-Hadi three months ago without any explanation and called on the Kingdom to release him.
The statement also urged the President and members of the Presidential Leadership Council, as well as the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, to fulfill their duty and secure the release of General Al-Hadi.
The protesters asserted that they would continue to escalate their demands until General Al-Hadi is released, calling on all sheikhs and tribes across Yemen to support them in this cause.
The statement also acknowledged the supportive role played by Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the deep and strong ties between the two countries and their peoples, forged through shared sacrifices in the battle against a common enemy.
General Al-Hadi is a prominent figure among the Dhahm tribe, one of the largest tribes in Al-Jawf Governorate. He is a renowned military leader who fought against the Houthi coup alongside Yemeni forces supported by the Arab Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy, led by Saudi Arabia.
The protest in Al-Jawf follows previous appeals for General Al-Hadi's release by his family, human rights activists, and journalists from the governorate. However, these appeals have gone unanswered, suggesting that further escalations are likely to follow.