In a significant development in the Yemeni political landscape, the Republic of Yemen has officially requested 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 at a time of intense political activity in Yemen aimed at unifying ranks to confront current challenges.
Details of the presidential statement and the communication blackout
An official source in the Yemeni Presidential Office issued a statement clarifying that the Secretariat of the Presidential Leadership Council had observed a near-complete breakdown in communication with Major General Faraj al-Bahsani over the past few weeks. The statement noted al-Bahsani's continued absence from his constitutional duties without providing clear reasons, despite repeated attempts to contact him during a sensitive period for the country, which necessitates concerted efforts to contain the escalation in the Hadramawt and al-Mahra governorates.
The source expressed concern regarding what was published on Al-Bahsani's account on the X platform, noting that the language used encourages escalation outside the framework of the state. The statement also pointed to conflicting positions regarding Saudi Arabia's invitation for consultations in Riyadh; Al-Bahsani initially agreed in mid-December but did not attend, citing being prevented from boarding the plane. He later endorsed the Saudi initiative before all contact with him was lost.
Background of the crisis and the importance of the Presidential Leadership Council
This incident gains significance from the sensitive stage Yemen has been going through since the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022, which came about as part of the power transfer declaration aimed at unifying the Yemeni factions opposed to the Houthi group. Faraj al-Bahsani, who previously served as governor of Hadramawt and commander of the Second Military Region, is a key figure in the council due to the geographical and political weight of the oil-rich Hadramawt Governorate.
Observers note that any rift within the Presidential Leadership Council could negatively impact efforts to restore the state, especially given international and regional efforts to solidify the ceasefire and initiate comprehensive peace negotiations. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates play a pivotal role in supporting the Council, making coordination between these two countries and the Yemeni leadership crucial for ensuring stability in the liberated areas.
Calls for institutional work and rejection of disputes
In a related context, the presidential source emphasized that membership in the Leadership Council is a supreme constitutional responsibility that cannot be reduced to narrow geographical or political representation, nor can it be obstructed by individual considerations. The source called on the Emirati side to facilitate Al-Bahsani's departure to Riyadh to join his colleagues in the Council's leadership and participate in the efforts sponsored by the Kingdom to address the situation and clarify any ambiguities.
The source concluded his statement by emphasizing that the current stage requires complete clarity and commitment to the governing references of the transitional phase, in order to ensure unity and mobilize energies towards the ultimate goal of restoring state institutions and ending the human suffering caused by the Houthi militias supported by the Iranian regime, stressing the Presidency’s keenness to prioritize institutional solutions and wisdom in crisis management.
