Aden (South24 Center)

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi issued decrees on Wednesday, Aug. 5, appointing new commanders of the Air Force and Air Defense, about a week after the army unveiled a drone system belonging to the armed forces for the first time.

The decrees appointed Abdulaziz Saeed Hazaa al-Muhaya as commander of the Air Force and Air Defense and Nashir Mansour Bajri as chief of staff of the Air Force and Air Defense, according to the state-run Saba News Agency.

On July 29, the Yemeni army unveiled units and models from its drone system during a military event attended by Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Taher al-Aqili. Footage released by the armed forces showed drones that officials said had entered service, with one generation named “Aiban” and “Nuqum.”

The army said the drones were ready to carry out military missions but did not disclose their technical specifications, operational range or weapons capabilities.

Al-Aqili said during the event that the armed forces were prepared to confront the Houthis, adding that the military would continue developing its capabilities and raising the combat readiness of government forces.

The announcement was distinct from previous displays conducted by Southern forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council. In October 2025, Southern forces displayed several drones during a military parade in Abyan Governorate, providing an early indication that the weapon had entered the arsenals of some military formations.

The decrees also appointed Maj. Gen. Ahmed Saeed bin Brik as an adviser to the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and promoted him to the rank of lieutenant general.

Yahya Kazman was appointed undersecretary for the Internal Security Sector, while Ahmed al-Saqatri was named undersecretary for the External Security Sector at the Central Agency for State Security.