In a significant development in the Yemeni political landscape, the Republic of Yemen officially requested on Saturday that the United Arab Emirates allow Major General Faraj Salmeen al-Bahsani, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, to leave its territory and travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This request comes amidst internal tensions and the council member's continued absence from his duties, prompting official intervention from the Presidential Office to clarify the situation to the public.
Details of the interruption and unjustified absence
An official source in the Yemeni Presidential Office explained that the Secretariat of the Presidential Leadership Council had observed a near-complete breakdown in communication with Major General Al-Bahsani over the past few weeks. The statement noted the member's absence from his constitutional duties without providing clear reasons, at a critical time when the state is exerting intensive efforts to contain the escalation in the governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, and to protect civil peace and civilians.
The source noted that Al-Bahsani's tweets on the X platform contained language encouraging escalation outside the framework of the state, in addition to contradictory stances regarding Saudi Arabia's invitation for consultations in Riyadh. After initially agreeing last December, he failed to attend, claiming he was prevented from boarding the plane, only to later endorse the Kingdom's actions, before disappearing again and becoming unreachable.
The context of forming the leadership council and the importance of cohesion
To understand the dimensions of this crisis, one must consider the broader context of the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022. This council, established under the Gulf Cooperation Council's declaration of power transfer, aimed to unify the anti-Houthi front. Its cohesion is crucial for restoring state institutions, as it comprises leaders representing the various forces operating on the ground. Any fracturing of this structure threatens to undermine the political and military efforts to end the coup.
Strategic importance and implications of the situation
This event gains significance from the stature of the figure involved; Brigadier General Al-Bahsani carries considerable political and military weight, particularly in the oil-rich Hadramawt Governorate, which constitutes a strategic depth for Yemen. Political circles fear that the continued absence of Brigadier General Al-Bahsani and his escalating rhetoric could destabilize the situation in the eastern governorates, potentially undermining the efforts of the legitimate government and the Arab Coalition.
In closing, the presidential source affirmed the state's commitment to strengthening the authority of its institutions and preventing any disruption to their operations, emphasizing that the current phase necessitates adherence to the governing principles of the transitional period. The source also called upon the UAE to facilitate Al-Bahsani's departure to Riyadh to participate in the Saudi-led efforts to address the situation and clarify any ambiguities, thereby ensuring unity in confronting the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the Houthis.
