Aden – The Presidential Leadership Council has issued a republican decree dismissing Defense Minister Lieutenant General Mohsen Mohammed Al-Daari from his post and referring him to retirement, a move that has sparked widespread political reactions across Yemen.

According to informed sources, the decision came in response to Al-Daari’s stance in support of the vision and position of the President of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, particularly regarding recent political and military developments in the southern governorates. These developments have been accompanied by growing disagreements within the Presidential Leadership Council over the management of the security and military files.

The sources noted that the dismissed defense minister’s position was viewed as a departure from the “consensus policy” within the Council, amid escalating disputes among its members over authorities, the nature of sovereign decisions, relations with the regional coalition, as well as the management of military and security forces on the ground.

The decision comes at a time when Yemen is witnessing a notable political escalation, with mutual accusations among parties within the Presidential Leadership Council of using military and security institutions in a struggle for influence, rather than unifying them to confront security challenges—foremost among them the Houthi group.

Observers believe that Al-Daari’s dismissal could further deepen divisions within the Presidential Leadership Council and reflect the fragility of the political consensus upon which the Council was formed. They warn that the continuation of such decisions may negatively affect the cohesion of the military and security institutions and further complicate Yemen’s political landscape in the coming period.