Chart: Mutinied Organizations

Since President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi was elected president on February 21, 2012, 22 brigades and one battalion have rebelled. The stream of mutinies picked up in August 2012, soon after the issue of presidential decrees that struck at the Republican Guard and First Armored Division by removing brigades from their command. These powerful units were run by Brigadier General Ahmed Saleh, son of the former president, and the influential General Ali Mohsen al Ahmar, respectively.

Eleven of the brigades that have rebelled to date once belonged to Yemen’s now dissolved Republican Guard, but were since transferred away. Republican Guard forces were the elite soldiers under President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and they were the best-trained and best-armed military units in Yemen. 

Also among the rebelling brigades is at least one unit, the 314th Armored Brigade, formerly of the First Armored Division. Others of the brigades above may also have been First Armored Division units, but AEI’s Critical Threats Project has not identified them at this time.

Click to enlarge.

Sources

“Some 2nd Brigade personnel attack Defence Ministry,” Saba, August 15, 2012. Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news278019.htm

“Armed confrontations in the Third Mountain Infantry Brigade and expulsion of brigade’s chief of operations and sale of weapons on the black market,” Mareb Press, February 4, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=51787

“Troops from the Fourth Brigade of the Republican Guard announce a mutiny, demand the release of their colleagues detained by al Qaeda,” Mareb Press, April 6, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=54056

“Al Bayda: 13 killed and wounded in fierce clashes between the army and citizens,” Mareb Press, April 8, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=54113&lng=arabic

“The 'Orjan' missiles brigade expels its commander from the camp without a car,” Akhbar al Yom, April 24, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.akhbaralyom.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=66617

“Leaders of the 9th Brigade in Sa’ada Governorate bring in its tribe to suppress its soldiers,” Barakish Net, December 19, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=11&id=41427

“Al Hudaydah: Soldiers detain 200 trucks at the 16th kilometer...protests denouncing the neglect of residents in al Salif,” Mareb Press, April 28, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=54950&lng=arabic

“Troops expel military commanders in Ma’rib,” al Sahwa, September 30, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/arabic/subjects/5/2012/9/30/23014.htm

“Breaking: Violent clashes in the 15th Infantry Brigade in Zinijbar, Abyan,” Barakish Net, May 9, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=11&id=49896

“Clashes in Taiz military brigade and soldiers surround their commander after a protest demanding his departure,” al Masdar Online, March 13, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/42780

“Amran: Soldier killed and others wounded after soldiers of the 29th Mechanized Brigade munity against their leader,” al Tagheer, January 9, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.al-tagheer.com/news52774.html

“Individuals from 30th Republican Guard brigade revolt against their commander and expel him while waiting for government decision,” Yemen Press, January 21, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://yemen-press.com/news17003.html

“Military uprising in 39th Armored Brigade reveals secrets of Southern Movement control on a number of voting centers in Aden,” Mareb Press, February 22, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=40883&lng=arabic

“End of military training flights in Anad air base,” Mareb Press, April 1, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=53832

“Armored battalion of the 35th rebels in al Dhaleh because of the firing of commander,” Aden al Ghad, November 13, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://adenalghad.net/news/21017.htm

“Violence and tension at al Daylami base after students of Aviation Institute inflame the situation,” Barakish Net, November 11, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=11&id=39060

“End of military training flights in Anad air base,” Mareb Press, April 1, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=53832

“Members of the 102nd Brigade in Bani Hushaysh expel their leader and al Jaifi is able to end the rebellion,” al Tagheer, May 27, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://al-tagheer.com/news57903.html

“Fourth District fails to contain the rebellion of the 111th Brigade,” Barakish Net, May 1, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=12&id=49441

“Soldiers in Sa’ada expel Major General Mahdi after he conveys Saleh’s greetings to them,” al Masdar Online, March 17, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/42947

“Officers and soldiers of the 314th Brigade expel their commander ‘Mohammad Khalil,’ accusing him of corruption,” al Sahwa, December 27, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/arabic/subjects/1/2012/12/27/25689.htm

“Protests rocking the rest of the Republican Guard brigades,” Mareb Press, April 9, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=54150

“Breaking: Officers and soldiers of the Political Security Organization escalate their protests and block off 60th Street with tents,” Barakish Net, November 14, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=11&id=39426

“Special Forces soldiers prevent their commander from practicing his work and presidential protection forces impose a ban on al Sabaha Camp,” al Masdar Online, March 23, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/43194

“Reservists from the Fourth Brigade expel their commander from Camp 48, and soldiers from the 26th Brigade refuse to allow their new commander to enter,” al Masdar Online, April 21, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/44493