Sun Feb 08 10:43:12 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Saudi-Backed Yemeni Government Announces New Cabinet Amidst Division and Conflict
The Story:
After weeks of consultations in Riyadh, the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Yemen’s internationally recognized government, unveiled a new 35-member cabinet. This move aims to govern a nation deeply divided by years of war. The new cabinet includes representatives from various political and regional affiliations, reflecting an attempt to appease different factions. However, reactions have been mixed, with some seeing it as a step towards stability, while others view it as a redistribution of power among elites.
The announcement follows the collapse of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the withdrawal of UAE forces from southern Yemen, events that have strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The new cabinet faces immediate challenges, including improving living conditions, combating corruption, and ultimately, ending Houthi control over large parts of the country.
Key Points:
* A new 35-member cabinet has been announced by the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).
* The cabinet formation aims to govern a divided Yemen and includes members from diverse political and regional backgrounds.
* The announcement comes after the collapse of the STC and the withdrawal of UAE forces from southern Yemen.
* The cabinet will focus on improving living conditions, combating corruption, and ending Houthi control.
* Saudi Arabia has expressed readiness to pay salaries in southern Yemen to restructure the military.
* The new cabinet includes three women ministers.
* Southern separatists reject the new cabinet, demanding an independent state.
* The Houthis do not recognize the legitimacy of the PLC, viewing its members as “mercenaries.”
Key Takeaways:
* The formation of a new cabinet represents an attempt to unify a fractured Yemen under Saudi Arabian influence.
* The inclusion of diverse factions highlights the complex political landscape and the need for appeasement.
* The success of the cabinet hinges on both internal political will and continued financial support from Saudi Arabia.
* Southern separatist movements and Houthi opposition present significant challenges to the cabinet’s authority and the prospects for lasting peace.
* The humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with millions facing food shortages, demands immediate attention from the new government.
First Piper 