Yemen's internationally recognised government has sacked and replaced a number of ministers and senior officers as it struggles to win back territory taken by Houthi rebels in September, The Guardian reports. It also hopes to end the Houthi encirclement of Taiz, which has lasted about four weeks.
A government counteroffensive launched on 5 October has failed despite thousands of deaths on both sides, and Saudi air support has not turned the tide. Reuters reported earlier this week that Houthi forces were about 60km from Aden, the government's nominal base.
The paper says President Rashad al-Alimi's changes appear aimed partly at rebalancing power between north and south, as the government increasingly relies on southern fighters who say they will only defend territory in the former South Yemen. Critics deride it as a hotel government because many senior figures live in Riyadh.
Source: The Guardian