Aden (South24)

On Thursday evening, the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen (PLC) made a ministerial change in the structure of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which was formed in December 2020, according to the Riyadh agreement with the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

This decision is the first for the Yemeni PLC since its formation was announced on April 7, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The decision included restructuring the ministries of Defense, Oil and Minerals, Electricity and Energy, and the Ministry of Public Works and Roads.

The official Saba news agency published the text of "Republican Resolution" No. 17 of 2022.

The PLC appointed Major General Mohsen Al-Daari as Minister of Defense, Dr. Saeed Suleiman Al-Shammasi as Minister of Oil and Minerals, and Engineer Mana bin Yamin as Minister of Electricity and Energy, and Engineer Salem Al-Huraizi as Minister of Public Works and Roads.

The position of Minister of Defense, which was led by Lieutenant-General Mohammad al-Maqdashi, sparked a lot of controversy over the past years, following the heavy losses suffered by government forces against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

Also yesterday, Al-Maqdashi was appointed advisor to the chairman of the PLC for Defense and Security Affairs.

The Presidential Council includes eight members with varying political agendas, but it has so far been able to gather the nominal allies supported by the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis.

The second truce announced by the United Nations is expected to expire on the second of August. 

The UN is seeking to extend the truce for a longer period, amid accusations of non-compliance to the Houthis, and their rejection of the proposals of the UN Secretary-General's envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to open roads that facilitate assistance to thousands of besieged citizens.