Its leader, Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar of the Hashid tribal federation, stated his intention to remove Saleh and his sons from power in his capacity as head of the Alliance.

[2] The exact strength of the Alliance is unknown, but at the ceremony in Sanaa that marked its inception, between 500 and 600 tribal leaders and chiefs attended.

[5] At the headquarters of General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a prominent defector from the Yemen Army who leads the 1st Armoured Division, the Alliance of Yemeni Tribes was declared on 30 July 2011.

"[1] In a statement on 7 August 2011, the Alliance warned the government against conducting military operations in the Hasaba district of central Sana'a, an area seen as a bastion of the protest movement.

The statement called on tribesmen to defend areas of the city claimed by the Yemeni opposition by any means necessary.