The Presidential Leadership Council has issued Decision No. (3), revoking the membership of Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahsani.

Presidential Leadership Council Decision No. 3: Removal of Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahssani

On Thursday, the Presidential Leadership Council issued Decision No. 3 for the year 2026, officially removing Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahssani from his position within the council.

Details of the Decision

The Presidential Leadership Council based its decision on several key documents:

• The Constitution of the Republic of Yemen
• The Gulf Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism
• The decision to transfer power, as outlined in Decision No. 9 of 2022, which established the Presidential Leadership Council
• The Law Regulating the Work of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Consultation and Reconciliation Committee, Law No. 119 of 2025

Grounds for Removal

The council cited multiple violations by Al-Bahssani that justified his removal:

1. Abuse of Position: Al-Bahssani exploited his constitutional role to provide political cover for illegal military actions conducted by the now-dissolved Southern Transitional Council. He justified the mobilization of forces from outside Hadhramaut to attack the province and its civilian and military institutions, constituting an armed rebellion against the state.

2. Defiance of Sovereign Decisions: He openly challenged the sovereign decisions issued by the Presidential Leadership Council. Al-Bahssani obstructed efforts to unify military and security forces under the Ministries of Defense and Interior, violating the power transfer agreement and the Riyadh Agreement.

3. Support for Unilateral Actions: Al-Bahssani supported unilateral actions led by Aidarus Al-Zoubaidi, who faces allegations of serious offenses threatening national unity and territorial integrity. This included armed rebellion and undermining state institutions in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra.

4. Hindrance to Regional and International Efforts: His actions negatively impacted regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and civilian protection. He rejected initiatives for dialogue and called for transferring these efforts outside the agreed-upon framework.

5. Misuse of Constitutional Authority: Al-Bahssani misused his position by making statements that contradicted the official stance of the state, creating confusion among local and international audiences and damaging the state’s credibility.

Conclusion of Findings

The cumulative effect of these actions contributed to a fragmentation of national unity, targeted state institutions, and threatened the security of neighboring countries. This behavior aligned with the interests of state adversaries, particularly the Iranian-backed Houthi militias and other terrorist organizations.

Additionally, the council noted Al-Bahssani’s permanent health incapacity, which hindered his ability to perform his duties. His repeated disengagement during critical periods of heightened security threats further justified the decision.

Final Decision

The Presidential Leadership Council has decided to:

1. Remove Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahssani from the Presidential Leadership Council.
2. Enforce this decision immediately and publish it in the official gazette.

Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi

This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to stabilize governance in Yemen and uphold the rule of law.

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