Amid Saudi-UAE Tensions, Yemen’s Prime Minister Resigns; Shayya Mohsin Zindani Appointed as Successor

Yemen, embroiled in conflict since 2014 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of the northern regions including the capital Sanaa, is witnessing another political upheaval. On Thursday, Prime Minister Salem bin Braik submitted his resignation, which was accepted by the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). Following his resignation, Shayya Mohsin Zindani, Yemen’s Foreign Minister, has been appointed as the new Prime Minister and tasked with forming the next government.

Changes in the PLC
Earlier in the day, the PLC appointed former Defense Minister Al-Subahi and Hadramaut Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi, replacing two members dismissed for their ties to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Decade-Long Conflict Continues
Yemen’s northern regions remain under Houthi control, while the rest of the country, including Aden, is governed by the Saudi-supported PLC. In recent months, the nation has become a flashpoint for tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Rising Saudi-UAE Tensions
The crisis escalated in December when the UAE-backed STC seized control of southern and eastern territories, advancing close to the Saudi border. Riyadh viewed this as a national security threat, deploying forces and demanding the STC withdraw immediately, exposing fractures within the anti-Houthi coalition.

On December 30, Saudi jets struck Mukalla port, claiming to target a weapons shipment intended for the STC, allegedly supplied by the UAE. Saudi Arabia issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the UAE to withdraw its forces. The UAE denied arming the rebels and announced the withdrawal of its troops.

Yemen’s latest political shift comes amid this fragile balance, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region and the complex dynamics between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.