President Al-Alimi Rules Out Any Intentions by the Houthi Militias to Change Their Destabilizing Behavior

  Riyadh

His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council, along with Council Member Sultan Al-Aradah, received today, Wednesday, Mr. Steven Fagin, the United States Ambassador to Yemen, to discuss bilateral relations between the two friendly nations—particularly in the fields of counterterrorism, organized crime, and strengthening the close partnership between the two sides across various areas.

At the outset of the meeting, Ambassador Fagin conveyed congratulations from U.S. President Donald Trump and the Government of the United States to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Council members on the anniversary of the 35th National Day of the Republic of Yemen. He also conveyed wishes for President Al-Alimi’s good health and happiness, and for the Yemeni people’s peace, security, and stability.

During the meeting, they addressed recent developments at the local and regional levels, as well as the humanitarian and economic support needed to stabilize the national currency and improve basic services. It also touched on ongoing coordination to support law enforcement efforts, counterterrorism, anti-money laundering initiatives, and the fight against organized crime.

President Al-Alimi reiterated his appreciation for the notable progress in U.S.-Yemen bilateral relations and praised the United States’ active role in enforcing the arms embargo on Iranian weapons smuggled to the Houthi militias. His Excellency also acknowledged American efforts to disrupt the group’s funding sources, combat its terrorist activities, and deter its threats to Yemen and regional security.

In this context, His Excellency reaffirmed the urgent need for a strong regional and international partnership with the legitimate government to secure maritime routes and confront shared challenges at all levels.

President Al-Alimi dismissed the notion that the Houthi militias—or their backers—harbor any serious intent to change their destructive conduct. He emphasized that the group is working long-term to advance Iran’s expansionist project in the region. Any engagement in de-escalation efforts by the Houthis, he said, is merely a deceptive tactic to retain sources of power, reposition themselves, and resume their hostile agenda.

President Al-Alimi reaffirmed that “the Houthi terrorist threat will only be eliminated if it suffers a decisive defeat that strips it of its key power bases: finances, territory, and weaponry.” He stressed that this requires fully investing in the current moment and mobilizing all resources in support of the internationally recognized government to restore full sovereignty over Yemeni territory.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Yahya Al-Shuaibi, Director of the Presidency Office.