In a significant political reshuffle, Yemen’s internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Salem bin Breik and appointed Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen Zindani as his successor. The state news agency Saba announced the leadership transition on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in Yemen’s ongoing governance challenges.
The council approved Bin Breik’s formally submitted resignation before tasking Zindani with forming the next cabinet. According to official statements, the outgoing prime minister met with PLC chairman Rashad al-Alimi to present the government’s resignation, thereby facilitating the pathway for new executive formation. The current administration will maintain operational continuity—excluding personnel appointments and dismissals—until the new government is established.
Official communications cited comprehensive institutional restoration, strengthened decision-making unity, and countering what they termed ‘the coup’ as primary motivations for the governmental change. This political reorganization follows recent military developments that saw PLC forces reclaim control over southern regions from separatist factions.
The backdrop to this political transition involves intense regional tensions between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Last month, Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists—reportedly backed by the UAE—seized extensive territories, infrastructure, and oil facilities from Saudi-supported tribal forces. Saudi Arabia responded with military strikes against STC positions and Emirati logistical support, accusing Abu Dhabi of facilitating the escape of STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi.
By Monday, PLC forces had successfully regained full control of southern Yemen, including Aden—the city the separatists had envisioned as capital of a future independent state. Notably, many soldiers now patrolling Aden had previously been aligned with the STC before defecting to support the internationally recognized government.