SANAA/ADEN - YemenÂ’s president removed a half brother of former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh on Friday as head of the air force, replacing nearly 20 top officers but leaving SalehÂ’s son, nephew and other allies in place as heads of important military units.Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who had served as SalehÂ’s deputy, took power in February after standing as the only candidate in a presidential election, part of a deal negotiated by YemenÂ’s Gulf neighbours for Saleh to step down after 33 years in power.
State news agency Saba said Hadi appointed General Rashed Ali Nasser al-Jund as air force commander, replacing SalehÂ’s half brother, General Mohammed Saleh Al Ahmar, who was made an assistant to the defence minister. Under the power transfer deal, Hadi is tasked with reunifying the army, which had split during the year-long uprising against SalehÂ’s rule, with some units openly siding with protesters.
Saba said that a senior army officer loyal to dissident General Ali Mohsen, who broke away from Saleh after the protests began, was also replaced. The reshuffle did not affect Brigadier General Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the ex-presidentÂ’s son and commander of the Republican Guards, or SalehÂ’s nephew, Brigadier General Yehia Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, who heads the paramilitary Central Security Forces.
Also replaced were the governors of four provinces, including that of Taiz, a staunch Saleh ally who led a bloody crackdown against protesters, and the governor of southern Abyan province, where al QaedaÂ’s regional wing has seized swathes of territory.
“This is the largest military shake-up in recent times. It took many by surprise,” said Mohammed Albasha, spokesman for Yemen’s embassy in Washington.
Analysts said Hadi appeared to have tried to be balanced, by replacing officials from both rival camps.
“The decisions show that President Hadi is distinguished as a responsible commander. I believe the decisions have been taken in consultation with all political parties,” Yemeni analyst Ali Saif Hassan said.