Yemen’s Prime Minister, Ahmad bin Mubarak, has stepped down, citing his inability to effectively wield his powers. This resignation follows a contentious conflict with Rashad Al Alimi, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) who has received support from Saudi Arabia, as shared by two ministers and PLC members who wished to remain unnamed.
Since the Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Yemeni government has retreated to Aden in the south. To complicate matters, the Houthis still dominate many major population centers in the region. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to assist the beleaguered government forces, but outcomes have largely been unsuccessful.
On Saturday, Bin Mubarak announced his resignation on X, mentioning that he had met with PLC leader Alimi. He also posted his resignation letter, expressing frustration over having “unable to exercise our constitutional authority” and lacking the ability to implement essential reforms.
Currently, the Houthis are intensifying missile attacks on Israel, claiming it’s a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinians amidst the Gaza conflict.
Despite the challenges, Bin Mubarak pointed to several “short-term successes,” including fiscal reforms and anti-corruption initiatives. However, analyst Mohammed Al-Basha from the Basha Report noted that tension with the PLC has been a constant issue. He remarked that Bin Mubarak had aspirations beyond his role, hoping for presidential powers, which has led to his political isolation.
Additionally, a Yemeni source told AFP that Bin Mubarak had halted budgets for various ministries, including defense, due to corruption claims, which escalated tensions further. Al-Basha highlighted that his desire for increased power has resulted in ongoing disputes among key ministers, as many are motivated by personal ambitions. Over time, this struggle for power has eroded trust.
Previously, Bin Mubarak served as the U.S. ambassador to Yemen, facing off against the Houthis, and has held multiple roles, including chief of staff and Yemeni envoy to the UN. He became the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2018 and took on the Prime Minister role on February 5, 2024.
According to Al-Basha, his resignation could ease internal strife and help mend the significant divisions that have hindered Yemen’s internationally recognized government, making it a potentially positive step toward restoring unity.
The ongoing war in Yemen has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and triggered one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. However, after a six-month truce in 2022, fighting had notably decreased. Yet, since the recent conflict in Gaza erupted following Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, the Houthis have increasingly targeted both Israel and vessels in the surrounding seas, claiming their actions are connected.
While the Houthis paused attacks during a two-month Gaza ceasefire, there are concerns that they may resume strikes related to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, potentially inciting a renewed U.S. air campaign targeting regions in Yemen under Houthi control.
