Yemeni PM Mubarak Resigns Amid Cabinet Dispute and Governance Challenges

In Yemen's Saudi-backed internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council, Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak of Yemen stated he was resigning on Saturday, citing "lots of challenges" to governing, including an inability to change his cabinet members.

He said he resigned after a disagreement with Rashad Al-Alimi of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, who denied him request to dismiss 12 ministers, according to six sources in the government.

Prime Minister Mubarak was only appointed in February 2024, after holding the post of foreign minister, but sought more authority to revive the long-standing crises in Yemen.

The dispute between Mubarak and Al-Alimi stemmed from disputes over the PM's authority to carry out reforms in the country. The Minister of Finance, Salem Saleh Bin Braik, is likely to take over for Mubarak, but has yet to formally take over as PM.

The leadership struggle has exposed fissures in Yemen's internationally recognized government, which has operated from Aden since getting kicked out of the capital Sanaa by Houthi rebels in 2014.

Mubarak gained prominence in 2015, serving as presidential chief of staff under then-President Hadi.

During his time as Prime Minister, he faced difficulties attempting to unite factions and address Yemen's humanitarian crisis while the civil war in Yemen against the Houthis continued.

Mubarak's resignation arrived amid increased U.S. airstrikes aimed at Houthi sites, part of the wider effort to deter Houthi assaults on shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

The strikes, as part of air operations lasting since March 2021, constitute the largest U.S. military response in the Middle East since President Donald Trump took office.