UAE presses for restructuring of Riyadh-backed “Presidential Council” amid Al-Alimi’s ‘failure’

RIYADH, Sept. 30 (YPA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed new conditions on Saudi Arabia to reshape the pro-coalition factions in Yemen as part of efforts to repair strained ties between the two Gulf partners, according to informed sources.

The sources stated that Abu Dhabi considers Rashad Al-Alimi, head of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, a primary symbol of Saudi failure in managing the Yemeni file.

Recent discussions in Riyadh between UAE Vice President Mansour bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—attended by the Saudi defense minister—focused directly on the poor performance of the council. The talks underscored the need to expedite Al-Alimi’s removal and appoint a new council head.

The UAE’s conditions also demand restoring the standing of the Abu Dhabi-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) and its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi. This includes dropping all high treason charges and legal prosecutions previously issued against him by Riyadh-backed factions, framed as an essential step toward reorganizing coalition proxy forces.

YPA