Yemen’s Tariq Saleh reportedly flees to Somaliland after Houthi takeover of Al Mukha

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Brigadier General Tariq Saleh, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and commander of the National Resistance on the country’s western coast, has reportedly fled Yemen by sea for Somaliland after his forces withdrew from Al Mukha on Thursday, allowing Houthi militants to seize control of the area, The Daily Somalia reported on Saturday

Saleh is reportedly in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, according to information that has yet to be independently confirmed by either Somaliland authorities or Yemen’s government.

The reported arrival of one of Yemen’s prominent military figures in Hargeisa comes after the withdrawal of his forces from Al Mukha, where Houthi militants subsequently took control.

Somaliland, the breakaway region in northern Somalia, enjoys Emirati support and received recognition from Israel in December.

The region also hosts an airbase in the coastal city Berbera established by the United Arab Emirates for joint services with Washington and Tel Aviv.

The Berbera facility was also reportedly the route through which Aidarus Al-Zoubaidi, president of the dissolved Transitional Council, escaped in December last year after fleeing Aden by sea.

Saleh’s reported movement from Yemen to Somaliland places Hargeisa once again at the center of attention as a destination for senior Yemeni figures fleeing upheaval in the country.

The information that Saleh is currently in Hargeisa remains unconfirmed by Somaliland or Yemen’s government.

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