Special forces formed in Yemen by President Saleh's eldest son

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has formed a special forces unit for active combat movements. His eldest son, Ahmad, was appointed as the leader of this unit.

News reports in Sanaa quoted a Yemeni official source as saying that members of the new unit include forces from several military formations and will be the essence of the special guard for the Yemeni president. The Yemeni source said the unit will work as a group to fight riots, and it will bear responsibility for confronting all active movements in Yemen, including kidnappings of foreigners, a process which has recently flourished.

The son of the Yemeni President has a degree in political science and administration from the USA. He was elected as a member of the parliament in 1997 and received military training in Jordan and at the British Royal Military Academy.