Saudi Arabia ousts UAE’s final ally from Aden’s “Presidential Leadership Council”

RIYADH, Jan. 15 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia moved on Thursday to sideline a prominent member of the Presidential Leadership Council aligned with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in a move described by observers as a “political execution.”

The move signals an escalation in the ongoing power struggle for influence over Yemen’s southern and eastern governorates.

Media outlets loyal to the Saudi-led Coalition confirmed that Saudi Arabia facilitated a decree, issued through the council’s President Rashad al-Alimi, effectively terminating the membership of Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani from the council.

The dismissal follows a wave of accusations against al-Bahsani, who also serves as the Vice President of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). He is accused of providing “political cover” for military maneuvers and mobilizing STC factions—primarily those originating from outside Hadramout—throughout the past year.

Informed political sources suggest that Riyadh is finalizing arrangements to appoint the pro-Saudi former Deputy Prime Minister, Salem al-Khanbashi, as al-Bahsani’s replacement on the Presidential Council.

According to projections, official decrees appointing replacements for both Aidarous al-Zubaidi and Faraj al-Bahsani within the Presidential Council are expected in the coming hours.

This reshuffle appears to be a calculated strategic move by Saudi Arabia to neutralize Emirati influence within the Presidential Leadership Council, assert unilateral control over the Hadramout file and other southern governorates, and block the STC’s ambitions for expansion in the oil-rich eastern regions.

YPA