Yemen, Feb 6: In a significant development, Yemen’s internationally recognized Presidential Council has ousted Prime Minister Maine Abdulmalik Saeed, marking a notable change in leadership. Saeed, who held the position since 2018, has been replaced by Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, known for his close ties to Saudi Arabia.

The decision comes amidst ongoing conflict in Yemen, with a US-led military coalition targeting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the region. Despite the change, the Presidential Council has not provided explicit reasons for Saeed’s dismissal.

Yemen has been gripped by civil war since 2014, when Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, seized control of the capital Sana’a and parts of the north. Saudi Arabia led a military coalition in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government, leading to a protracted conflict that has devastated the already impoverished nation, resulting in over 150,000 casualties, including fighters and civilians.

Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have seen progress in recent months, signaling hopes for a resolution to the prolonged conflict. However, peace talks have faced setbacks, particularly with the escalation of hostilities stemming from the Israel-Hamas war last October.

Houthi rebels’ attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea, purportedly in response to Israel’s military campaign against Palestine and Hamas, have further complicated the situation. The US and UK have responded with airstrikes on rebel-held areas in Yemen, highlighting the volatile nature of the region’s geopolitical dynamics.