In December 2017, Saleh said he would not support the Houthis and instead sided with his former enemies – Saudi Arabia and president Hadi. However, he was killed by a Houthi sniper while attempting to leave the capital city of Sana'a amidst the ongoing battle on 4 December 2017. The Houthis said that it was the United Arab Emirates that dragged Saleh to "this humiliating fate."