The UN‑recognised government of Yemen has carried out a sweeping reshuffle of its political and military leadership in an effort to stem the tide of Houthi gains and lift the four‑week siege of Taiz, the country’s third‑largest city.
President Rashad al‑Alimi announced the dismissal of several senior ministers and military officers on Monday, a move that follows a series of Houthi victories and mounting pressure from southern Yemenis who demand greater influence in the national government.
Since the counteroffensive launched on 5 October, the government has struggled to regain territory. While Saudi Arabia maintains air superiority, ground progress has been limited, and the Houthis have advanced to within about 37 miles (60 km) of Aden, the nominal seat of the UN‑recognised administration.
Al‑Alimi’s decision to replace key figures is seen as an attempt to rebalance the north‑south divide that has long plagued Yemen. The southern region, which was an independent state from 1967 to 1990, is represented by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a banned group that seeks either a return to the former division or a more federated system.
Southern troops have become essential for the government’s defense against Houthi advances, yet they insist they will fight only to protect land within the former South Yemen. Recent reports suggest that STC leaders were pressured by Saudi Arabia to dissolve the organisation, a claim that has intensified criticism of Saudi involvement among southern separatists.
The reshuffle also reflects concerns that the administration has become a “hotel government,” with many senior officials based in Riyadh and reliant on Saudi funding to pay salaries. The presidential leadership council met in Riyadh for the first time in months to address the loss of territory and the ongoing conflict in the mountains around Taiz.
President al‑Alimi’s new appointments aim to strengthen the government’s capacity to counter Houthi advances while addressing the demands of southern Yemenis, a delicate balance that will shape Yemen’s political future in the coming months.
Source: The Guardian World
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