Monthly Briefing/ May 2026

In May 2026, Yemen’s political landscape was shaped by a series of significant developments. The month witnessed a rise in secessionist rhetoric led by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, renewed controversy over the fate of prominent politician Mohammed Qahtan, who has been forcibly disappeared for nearly a decade, and progress in prisoner-exchange negotiations between the government and the Houthis. These developments culminated in the death of former President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi at the end of the month. Taken together, they underscore the enduring complexity of Yemen’s political scene and the deep divisions surrounding the future of the country’s stalled peace process.

May 4: Thousands of Southern Transitional Council supporters gathered in Aden to mark the anniversary of the council’s establishment and renew their mandate for Aidarous al-Zubaidi, while calling for the council to be represented in any future political settlement.

May 9: Calls continued across Yemen for the formation of an independent international commission of inquiry to uncover the fate of prominent politician Mohammed Qahtan, a member of the Islah Party’s Higher Authority, who has been forcibly disappeared by the Houthis. These calls followed the Office of the UN Special Envoy’s refusal to disclose information about his case, as well as Qahtan’s family’s rejection of claims and leaks alleging that he had been killed in a 2015 airstrike.

May 9: Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi arrived in Djibouti, accompanied by Council member Mahmoud al-Subaihi, to attend the inauguration ceremony of Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh and hold talks on bilateral relations and developments in Yemen and the wider region.

May 10: Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi stressed the need to resolve the issue of Iran-backed armed groups in the region, emphasizing that sustainable peace requires addressing sources of threat and securing international waterways.

May 14: The government delegation announced that it had reached an agreement with the Houthi group to release around 1,750 detainees, including 27 members of coalition forces, following 14 weeks of negotiations in the Omani capital, Muscat. The agreement also included the formation of a committee to verify the fate of Mohammed Qahtan.

May 22: Yemeni Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman stated that disagreements with the UAE are temporary, while reiterating Yemen’s rejection of any political negotiations with the Houthis before they surrender their weapons and return to constitutional order.

May 22: The Supreme Council of Popular Resistance, headed by Sheikh Hamoud al-Mikhlafi, called for a national dialogue within the framework of the legitimate state to build trust among national forces and unify efforts to restore the state and end the Houthi coup. The council reaffirmed its commitment to Yemeni unity and its rejection of partition projects.

May 23: Mohammed al-Ghaithi, head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission and affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council, criticized Yemen’s official discourse on unity, arguing that it overlooks the reality of the country’s existing divisions. He rejected any southern dialogue held within the framework of the Yemeni state, emphasizing that restoring the state and liberating Sana’a should take precedence over unity slogans.

May 24: Yemen and Egypt held the ninth session of their strategic dialogue in Cairo to discuss strengthening political and security coordination and confronting Houthi threats to navigation in the Red Sea.

May 28: Former Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi died in Riyadh at the age of 80 following a deterioration in his health, bringing to a close a decades-long political career marked by prominent military and political roles, culminating in the presidency.

Yemen’s military landscape saw several notable developments during the month, including changes in the armed forces’ leadership structure, continued efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war, limited field confrontations, and steps to strengthen international coordination on maritime security. These developments reflect ongoing efforts to reorganize defense capabilities and improve military readiness amid persistent security challenges. 

May 1: A military committee from the Giants Brigades took over the headquarters of Badr Camp in Khormaksar District, Aden, as part of a plan to reposition military units and relocate military camps outside the city.

May 4: Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Taher al-Aqili discussed with U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin ways to support the capabilities of the National Army and enhance its readiness to protect international navigation in the Red Sea. The meeting coincided with the completion of the first phase of integrating various military formations into the official military institution.

May 5: Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri assumed command of the Fourth Military Region in Aden, succeeding Brigadier General Fadl Hassan, following presidential decrees that also included the appointment of Mehdar al-Saadi as Chief of Staff and Ali Obaid as head of general operations.

May 6: The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance in Yemen, “Masam,” destroyed 6,011 mines, munitions, and explosive remnants of war in Bab al-Mandab, Taiz Governorate. These included 58 anti-tank mines and 36 anti-personnel mines.

May 6: Houthi commander Abduh Jayyash was killed along with several of his companions on the al-Kidah front in al-Jarrahi District, southern Hodeidah, in an operation carried out by the Second Zaranig Brigade.

Security challenges persisted throughout May, marked by incidents affecting maritime security, migrant smuggling, and organized crime, alongside security operations and field pursuits across several governorates. These developments highlight the need for stronger regional cooperation and greater capacity within security agencies to address escalating threats.

May 2: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations warned that a suspicious small boat and fishing vessel had approached a cargo tanker southwest of Mukalla, marking the second similar incident in the Gulf of Aden in less than 24 hours.

May 3: The hijacked oil tanker EUREKA, carrying 2,800 tons of diesel and 12 sailors, approached Somali waters after Yemeni coastguard forces were unable to intercept it.

May 4: Coastguard forces intercepted two boats south of Aden and detained 340 irregular migrants, including women and children, along with smugglers involved in trafficking operations across the Gulf of Aden.

May 13: The Yemeni and Djiboutian coastguards discussed strengthening security cooperation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, intensifying anti-smuggling efforts, and exchanging information to protect international navigation.

May 13: The Houthi group abducted Sheikh Hamad Fadgham al-Hazmi and Mira Saddam Hussein north of Sana’a after the failure of tribal mediation, in an incident that sparked widespread tribal and public anger.

May 17: Socotra Governor Raafat al-Thaqali left for Riyadh after being summoned by the Presidential Leadership Council, amid reports of gunfire targeting Saudi forces at Hawlaf Port and the seizure of fuel trucks.

May 24: Security forces in Taiz arrested the main suspect in the assassination of Red Cross employee Hanna Lahoud, who was killed in 2018, following lengthy investigations.

May 25: Security forces in Mukalla raided four illegal gold extraction workshops and seized equipment and detained suspects as part of a campaign to combat unregulated mining.

Yemen’s economy remained under significant pressure in May, driven by the deepening institutional divide between Sana’a and Aden and Houthi interference in the private sector and humanitarian operations. At the same time, the government pursued financial reform efforts and secured external support for the energy sector. Together, these developments underscore the fragility of Yemen’s economic situation and the difficulty of achieving stability under current conditions.

May 2: The Houthis seized U.S. equipment and supplies worth more than $122,000 following Washington’s suspension of its humanitarian programs in Yemen.

May 7: A Houthi court froze the bank accounts of Islamic Relief in Sana’a-based banks, as part of an ongoing escalation against international organizations.

May 9: A Houthi court put lands belonging to Tadhamon Bank up for public auction, covering an area of 2,792 libnahs (a traditional Yemeni unit of area) and valued at more than 9.4 billion Yemeni rials, amid government warnings that the measures were invalid.

May 11: UN data revealed a 76% decline in fuel imports through the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa during the first quarter of 2026, marking the sharpest drop in four years.

May 20: Armed men surrounded the Shamlan Water Factory in Sana’a and closed its gate, demanding financial levies, which disrupted operations at the facility.

May 20: The oil company in Aden raised the price of diesel by 24.5%, bringing the price of a 20-liter canister to 36,000 Yemeni rials.

May 27: Saudi Arabia announced an urgent $150 million grant to Yemen to provide the fuel derivatives needed to operate power plants until the end of 2026.

The human rights file continued to witness violations related to freedom of expression and journalistic work, alongside controversial judicial rulings and politically charged arrests. At the same time, there were some positive indicators linked to judicial releases and legal protection for Yemenis abroad.

May 1: A U.S. court blocked a decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Yemenis, ensuring the continued legal status of thousands of residents due to the unsafe conditions for return to Yemen.

May 1: A Reporters Without Borders report classified the state of press freedom in Yemen as “very serious,” after the country dropped to 164th in the global press freedom index.

May 5: The head of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate revealed that around 60 journalists have been killed and nine others detained since the outbreak of the war.

May 5: SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties documented the detention of lawyer Abdulmajeed Sabra since September 2025, calling for his immediate release and an independent investigation.

May 13: The Specialized Criminal Court in Hadramout acquitted three journalists of charges of publishing false news after years of prosecution.

May 14: Prisoner Ammar Nabil Hassan al-Alawi died inside the reserve prison in Ibb Governorate due to the deterioration of his health and the absence of medical care.

May 18: A Houthi court issued death sentences against 19 citizens and prison sentences against four others on charges of joining government forces. No international condemnation of the rulings had been publicly recorded at the time of writing.

May 19: A Yemeni prisoner held in Ukraine revealed that Yemeni youths had been lured into fighting alongside Russia through false financial promises. He confirmed that dozens of recruits had been killed and that they had been subjected to mistreatment and serious violations.

May 21: Houthi brokers extorted a woman in her seventies in Raymah Governorate and confiscated her property in exchange for allowing her to travel to Marib to visit her sons.

The humanitarian file saw mixed developments during May, including the delivery of significant housing and health projects and the completion of arrangements for the Hajj season, alongside the continued suffering of residents in some areas as a result of violations and restrictions on movement. These developments underscore the ongoing need to support humanitarian and development efforts.

May 1: European Union Ambassador to Yemen Patrick Simonnet reaffirmed the EU’s continued support for Taiz Governorate through development and humanitarian projects, praising the city’s resilience and the vitality of its civil society.

May 3: The Governor of Taiz inaugurated the second phase of the Abu Halifa residential city project in Mokha District, funded by Kuwait. The phase includes 50 fully equipped housing units for displaced and affected families.

May 5: Taiz inaugurated Yemen’s first liver transplant center, having already performed three successful transplant operations locally.

May 7: The Executive Unit for the Management of IDP Camps in Marib warned that 40,500 displaced families are at risk of eviction from rented housing due to accumulated unpaid rent.

May 13: The American Center for Justice revealed that citizen Ayman Dabyan had been abducted and forcibly disappeared by the Houthis in Sana’a because of his religious advocacy activities.