Major General Ali Mohsen al Ahmar receiving US Military Attaché David Cobbs and his deputy

Aden-Deputy Chief Commander of Yemeni armed forces, Lt. Gen Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar is intensifying his meetings with tribal elders in Sanaa, specifically with citizens in regions surrounding the Yemeni capital. The meetings came as the ousted Ali Abdullah Saleh in the past few days provided funds, cars and weapons for a number of elders, tribal sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Yemeni sources close to the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that Al Ahmar’s meetings included leaders of the Popular Resistance in these regions and discussed developments and ongoing preparations to liberalize Sanaa from Houthi militias and forces loyal to the ousted Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The sources also indicated that Al Ahmar’s meetings and calls aim at supporting the operations carried out by the Popular Resistance and the National Army in the east of Sanaa. Political and military leaderships in Sanaa confirm that they are trying to free Sanaa with minimal losses in order to spare the city and its citizens the ravages of war.

Al Ahmar met Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Popular Resistance in Sanaa, Sheikh Mansour Ali al-Hanaq, and they discussed plans to free Sanaa and mechanisms that should be adopted to ensure the implementation of the liberalization plan with minimal losses and costs.

Al-Hanaq said that the meeting tackled communication with social and military figures in Sanaa to help free the city and guarantee the safety of its citizens and their properties in addition to public interests. It also considered the needs of the Popular Resistance and the National Army, particularly paying salaries for the fighters at the battle fronts.

Another source from the tribes told Asharq Al-Awsat that he considers Ali Al Ahmar one of the most important men in Yemeni tribes as he is the General, the elder and the prominent academic. He confirmed that Al Ahmar’s relation with the tribes has always been a priority for him and that his attachment to these tribes is based on honest stances, real promises and permanent loyalty unlike Ali Abdallah Saleh, who is known for dishonesty and treachery.