South Arabian League (SAL) rebels attacked positions in eastern South Yemen, arriving from Saudi Arabia on February 20, 1972.[2] The rebels were defeated by South Yemen government troops on February 24, 1972, with some 175 rebels killed during the military hostilities.[2] Prime Minister Ali Nasir Muhammad survived an assassination attempt by SAL rebels on May 22, 1972.[2] Six persons were sentenced to death for plotting to overthrow the government on July 9, 1972.[2] Saudi Arabia continued to oppose South Yemen and supported the Northern Yemeni troops in the upcoming struggle.