NYN | News
Tensions have deepened within Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Political sources revealed to Belqees TV, affiliated with Islah party leader Tawakkol Karman, that all meetings of the Presidential Leadership Council have been suspended due to escalating disputes between Council President Rashad Al-Alimi and his deputy, Tariq Saleh. The suspension reflects growing cracks within the council, which was formed in April 2022 under Saudi sponsorship.
According to the sources, tensions between Al-Alimi and Tariq Saleh have sharply escalated in recent weeks, reportedly due to Tariq’s ambitions to take over the council’s presidency. He is said to be backed by several members who now support a “rotating leadership” model that would see Al-Alimi removed.
The sources added that a key point of contention lies in Tariq Saleh’s efforts to assert political and military control over Taiz Governorate and to gain official recognition for a new administrative division that includes coastal districts—particularly Mokha and parts of Hudaydah Governorate. His proposal seeks to establish a new entity called the “Western Coast Governorate,” encompassing strategic areas around Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea islands.
According to the information, Al-Alimi has blocked multiple attempts by Tariq to impose this change, viewing it as a threat to the unity of Taiz and a step that could facilitate regional agendas aimed at consolidating military and economic control over vital maritime routes.
This escalation comes amid a broader political deadlock within the council, marked by a lack of consensus among its members and growing accusations of unilateral decision-making.
Observers suggest that the suspension of council meetings may signal an impending collapse, especially as disputes over sovereign issues continue to mount and loyalties remain divided between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
