Aden – The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, under the leadership of President Rashad al-Alimi, has announced the appointment of two new members: Lieutenant General Mahmoud Ahmed al-Subaihi and Salem al-Khanbashi. This decision, revealed through the official Yemeni News Agency Saba, follows a period of significant restructuring within the council.
Lieutenant General al-Subaihi currently serves as the Advisor to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council for Defense and Security Affairs. He previously held the position of Minister of Defense before being captured by the Houthi group in 2015. He was held for several years before being released as part of prisoner exchange agreements in April 2023.
Salem al-Khanbashi is currently the Governor of Hadramout Governorate and the Commander of the Homeland Shield Forces in the governorate. President al-Alimi’s decree stipulates that he will retain his position as governor.
These appointments come just hours after the Presidential Council terminated the membership of Major General Faraj al-Bahsani, the Deputy Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Al-Bahsani was accused of exploiting his constitutional position to provide political and legal cover for illegal military movements carried out by the STC.
Earlier this month, on January 7th, the Presidential Council also dismissed Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the head of the Southern Transitional Council, from the council, accusing him of high treason. This decision was made after the Saudi-led coalition announced his flight from Aden to Somalia and then to the United Arab Emirates.
The recent changes within the Presidential Council highlight the ongoing complexities and power dynamics within Yemen’s political landscape. The appointments of al-Subaihi and al-Khanbashi are expected to bring new perspectives and contribute to the council’s efforts to address the country’s multifaceted challenges.
