PICTURES: Nephew, head of security of Yemen’s Saleh, makes first appearance

In his first real appearance since rumors of his death, slain ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s nephew and head of security, Brigadier Tariq Saleh, arrived in the city of Ataq on Thursday in the governorate of Shabwa controlled by the legitimate forces.

Several pictures of the brigadier were circulated while he was attending the funeral of Arif Zuka, the secretary-general of the Congress party, who was killed alongside ex-president Saleh in Sanaa by the Houthi militia early December.

The pictures show Brigadier Tariq in good health, with no visible injuries.

This is his first appearance that contradicts rumors that he died alongside his uncle, and confirms to the Houthis, who were reported to have been searching for him since he led several battles against them in Sanaa, that he is still alive.

Sources who were also at the funeral in Zuka’s house said that Brigadier Tariq made a videotaped statement saying that he preferred to make his first appearance for a worthy occasion, and for worthy people whose patriotism will remain in his heart and all of the Yemeni people.

The Houthis had distributed flyers of Brigadier Tariq claiming that he was wanted, while launching large-scale raids on Sanaa residences. They also tapped the brigadier’s personal phone and arrested anyone acquainted with him in an attempt to find out where he was.