National Defense Council Affirms State’s Ability to Regain Initiative, Rejects Threats from Yemeni Coast

  Riyadh

His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, chaired today, Thursday, a meeting of the National Defense Council. It was attended by PLC members: Sultan Al-Arada, Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami, Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi, Othman Mujalli, Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, and Salem Al-Khanbashi. PLC member Tariq Saleh was absent with prior excuse.

The meeting, attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Sheikh Sultan Al-Barakani, Prime Minister Dr. Shaea Al-Zindani, Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Ahmed Obaid bin Daghr, Chairman of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed Al-Ghaithi, and the relevant ministers and officials who are members of the National Defense Council, discussed field developments across the military theater. The discussion was conducted in light of the Houthi militias’ terrorist escalation and its repercussions for national security, regional stability, and the security of waterways.

The Council heard military and security reports and briefings on the course of operations on the fronts in Taiz, Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhalea, and other axes. As well as, it was briefed on the level of combat readiness and measures taken to regain the initiative on a number of fronts.

The National Defense Council saluted the heroes of the armed forces and security forces and all military formations on the various fields of honor and valor. It commended their important victories and field gains on the fronts in Marib, Al-Jawf, and Al-Bayda, as well as their courage, steadfastness, and ability to thwart the militias’ plans and inflict heavy losses on them.

The Council also reviewed the latest developments in the western coastal area of Taiz Governorate, including the redeployment of forces in the area. It affirmed that any temporary field advance would not give the militias the right to impose a fait accompli by force. Nor would it alter the fact that this is not a battle for a particular position, district, or individual front. Rather, it is a comprehensive national battle to restore state institutions and extend its sovereignty over the entire national territory.

The Council stressed that any attempt by the militias to turn a temporary field gain into a permanent political or geographical reality is merely an illusion that will be dispelled by the will of the Yemeni people and the valor of their armed forces.

The National Defense Council stressed that the comprehensive battle to restore state institutions cannot leave any part of the Republic’s territory outside its sovereignty. Nor allow any part of Yemen’s territory, coastline, or islands to be turned into a platform for threatening Yemen, its neighbors, or international maritime navigation.

It affirmed that the state will continue to fulfill its constitutional and national responsibility until the coup and the threat it has posed to Yemen, the region, and the world are brought to an end.

In this context, the Council affirmed that the deterrence operation launched by the armed forces will not be confined to any particular front or area. It will deal firmly, in accordance with military assessments, the rules of engagement, and international humanitarian law, with sources of threats and militia movements across all theaters of operations.

The Council called on citizens in areas of operations to fully comply with the instructions and guidance issued by the armed forces and the competent authorities. It called on them to stay away from Houthi militia positions, movements, gatherings, and weapons depots, for their own safety and to facilitate the armed forces’ efforts to protect civilians and address sources of threats.

The Council affirmed that Yemen, in defending the Bab Al-Mandab, its coastlines, islands, and territorial waters, is not defending itself alone. It is also standing on the front line in defense of freedom of navigation, maritime security, the stability of global trade, and the interests of countries and peoples far beyond Yemen and the region.

The National Defense Council called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, the permanent members, Red Sea littoral states, and international partners, to fulfill their responsibilities and prevent the Bab Al-Mandab and Yemen’s coastlines and islands from being turned into tools of blackmail or platforms for threatening international navigation and trade.

It stressed that Yemen is not asking the world to fight its war on its behalf. Rather, it is calling for the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions and support for the government’s efforts to protect its territory, sovereignty, territorial waters, and national institutions.

The Council held the Houthi militias fully responsible for the consequences of their terrorist escalation. This includes grave human rights violations and attacks on residential areas, public roads, and civilian facilities through shelling, sniper fire, and drones, as well as the displacement of thousands of civilians. It affirmed that the militias started this war and must bear the consequences of this choice.

The National Defense Council strongly condemned the renewed attacks by the terrorist Houthi militias on the territory of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It reaffirmed the Republic of Yemen’s full solidarity with the Kingdom and its legitimate right to protect its security, citizens, and national resources.

The Council affirmed that using Yemeni territory to launch attacks against the Kingdom also constitutes an attack on the interests of the Yemeni people. It stressed that the security of Yemen and Saudi Arabia is interconnected. It also emphasized the strategic partnership between the two countries and the Kingdom’s support for the Yemeni state and people, as well as for economic, humanitarian, and development stability. It said that protecting this relationship and the interests of both peoples is an integral part of the Yemeni state’s responsibility.

The Council commended the broad popular support for the armed forces, as well as community, tribal, and humanitarian initiatives to support fighters, assist displaced persons, and care for the families of martyrs and wounded personnel. It also praised the responsible positions of political and social forces, intellectual and awareness platforms, media outlets, and national elites that have contributed to strengthening confidence in the state and its armed forces and unifying the domestic front.

The Council renewed its call on members of the tribes and those misled in areas under militia control not to send their children into a war that does not serve the interests of Yemenis. It called on them to prevent their youth from becoming fuel for a cross-border armed project. It called on those who remain in the ranks of the militias to return to the right path and stand with their people and state.

The Council prayed for the souls of the martyrs of the armed forces, security forces, and all military formations, as well as civilians who lost their lives as a result of Houthi attacks. It wished the wounded and injured a speedy recovery and directed the government and competent authorities to continue caring for the families of martyrs and honoring their rights, provide the best possible treatment and care for the wounded. The Council directed the government to intensify humanitarian and relief efforts to shelter and assist displaced and affected families. It considered this a constitutional and moral duty that brooks no delay or negligence.