Yemen forms new government under PM Shaya al-Zindani

Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council has approved the formation of a new government, appointing Shaya al-Zindani as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the head of a 34-member cabinet. The new administration, announced by the state-run Saba News Agency on Friday, represents an attempt to consolidate governance within the internationally recognized government amid the country's prolonged civil war and complex internal divisions.

Key cabinet appointments and inclusion of women

The new cabinet includes several key security appointments: Major General Ibrahim Ali Ahmed Haidan as Interior Minister and Major General Taher Ali Obeidah al-Oqaili as Defense Minister. Maamar Motahar al-Eryani will serve as Information Minister. Notably, the government includes three female ministers—a departure from the previous all-male cabinet. They are Afrah Abdulaziz al-Zouba as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ahd Mohammed Salem Jaasous as Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, and Judge Ishraq Fadl al-Maqtari.

Political context and formation process

The government's formation follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak in May 2025. It is the product of months of consultations held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at reconciling tensions between the central government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a major separatist faction within the anti-Houthi alliance. The STC announced its dissolution in January, potentially smoothing the path for this unified cabinet. The Presidential Leadership Council stated the move was made in the country's "supreme national interest," aligning with Yemen's constitution and past political agreements.

Broader war and humanitarian crisis

The new government operates in the shadow of Yemen's devastating nine-year civil war, which pits the internationally recognized government (backed by a Saudi-led coalition) against the Houthi movement. The conflict has triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, with approximately 80% of the population—around 30 million people—reliant on humanitarian aid. While the new cabinet aims to present a more unified front, its immediate challenges include addressing this catastrophic humanitarian situation, managing a fragile economy, and navigating a stalled peace process with the Houthis.