Overview

• Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council appoints Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as the new Prime Minister, replacing Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed.
• Bin Mubarak, a staunch adversary of the Houthi rebels, was previously kidnapped by them in 2015 amid a power struggle.
• The appointment comes amid rising tensions and attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels, prompting US and UK retaliatory strikes.
• The Houthi rebels have launched over 30 attacks on shipping since November 19, in solidarity with Palestinians and against Israel's actions in Gaza.
• Bin Mubarak has called for the EU to designate the Houthis as a terrorist group and seeks increased military support for government forces.