NDC Urges Citizens to Stay Away from Militia Sites and Gatherings, Report Suspicious Movements

  Aden

The National Defense Council held a meeting chaired by President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The meeting was attended by PLC members: Sultan Al-Arada, Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi, Othman Mujali, Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, and Salem Al-Khanbashi. PLC members Tariq Saleh and Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami were absent with prior consent.

The meeting was also attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Sheikh Sultan Al-Barakani, Prime Minister Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani, Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Ahmed Obaid bin Daghr, Chairman of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed Al-Ghaithi, and relevant ministers and officials who are members of the National Defense Council.

The meeting discussed the latest national developments and the level of readiness of the armed forces, security forces, and military formations on various fronts.

It also discussed the implementation measures related to general mobilization and safe return, the continued provision of essential services, and the humanitarian response to displaced persons and those affected by the escalation and attacks by the Houthi terrorist militias.

The National Defense Council renewed its congratulations to the Yemeni people on the anniversaries of the Yemeni revolutions. It paid tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces, popular resistance, and civilians, and wished the wounded and injured a speedy recovery.

The Council heard a report from PLC member Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi on his participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and the meetings and events held on its sidelines. The report covered efforts to mobilize regional and international support for the Yemeni people, government, and armed forces in confronting the Houthi escalation and its repercussions for freedom of navigation, waterways, and international peace and security.

The National Defense Council also heard reports from its members on their assigned tasks and field visits to front lines on several fronts to assess the combat readiness of deployed forces. The reports also covered the course of military operations, and the field situation across various axes.

Prime Minister Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani briefed the Council on the economic and service situation and the government measures and precautions to address emergencies. He also reviewed the level of response to the repercussions of the escalation by the Houthi terrorist militias, including meeting the urgent needs of the wounded and displaced persons and ensuring that the state meets its essential obligations.

The briefing also covered the solutions and measures approved by the government to address the electricity crisis, including the maintenance of power-generation plants in the interim capital, Aden.

The Council commended the cohesion, operational efficiency, and high deterrence capabilities demonstrated by the armed forces, all military formations, and the popular resistance in recent months, as well as their ability to regain the initiative on various fronts. It noted the heavy losses inflicted on the Houthi militias and their military equipment through coordinated operations.

The National Defense Council affirmed that the armed forces will continue to fulfill their constitutional and legal responsibilities to protect citizens and deter sources of threat. This is aimed at fulfilling the Yemeni people’s aspirations to restore state institutions and extend state sovereignty over the entire national territory.

The Council also commended the broad popular support for the armed forces and state institutions, as well as the community, tribal, and popular initiatives and relief convoys organized by citizens, both men and women, in support of the fronts and displaced persons. It described these initiatives as an expression of broad national solidarity in confronting acts of sabotage targeting state institutions and national resources.

The National Defense Council called on citizens in areas under the forced control of the Houthi militias to stay away from military camps, weapons depots, missile launch sites, command and control centers, militia gatherings and military positions, and their supply lines. It also urged citizens not to allow residential neighborhoods or civilian facilities to be used for military purposes, in order to protect their lives and safety.

The Council also urged citizens to cooperate with state institutions and the competent military and security authorities, and to report through official channels any suspicious movements, military mobilization or new military installations, or activities threatening the security of citizens and the stability of their areas. Such cooperation, it said, would strengthen the state’s ability to protect civilians and prevent the militias from using populated areas as human shields for their criminal activities.

The National Defense Council warned of the dangerous development represented by the Houthi militias’ use of Iranian-made mobile air-defense systems, cruise missiles, and advanced military technologies. Such capabilities, it said, expand the threat to air navigation routes in Yemen and the region and expose civilian aircraft and humanitarian and relief flights to serious risks.

The Council called for a firm international position to prevent the flow of weapons, military technologies, and expertise to the militias, and to hold accountable those involved in providing them with capabilities prohibited under international law.

The National Defense Council welcomed regional and international positions in support of the government and its national institutions. These included statements issued by the UN Security Council condemning Houthi terrorism, affirming Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stressing the need to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216.

On the humanitarian front, the National Defense Council affirmed that the protection of civilians will remain a firm commitment of the state and its armed forces. It directed that all necessary measures and precautions continue to be taken to protect civilians and civilian facilities. It also called for stronger coordination among the military and security institutions, local authorities, civil defense agencies, and humanitarian response bodies.

The Council also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to caring for the families of martyrs and wounded personnel and responding promptly to the needs of displaced persons and families forced from their homes by the Houthi militias. It called on international organizations and donors to support these interventions in response to growing humanitarian needs.

The National Defense Council highly commended the positions of the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their continued support for the Yemeni government and people at various stages, as well as their assistance in addressing emerging security, economic, and humanitarian challenges. It also praised Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to Yemen’s security and stability and territorial integrity, and its support for national institutions at all levels.

The Council commended the continued functioning of state institutions, the government, and local authorities in carrying out their duties from within Yemen. It praised their efforts to ensure the payment of public-sector salaries, maintain essential services, meet food and medical needs, and enhance preparedness for any potential emergencies.

The National Defense Council stressed the importance of integrating military, security, economic, humanitarian, media, and diplomatic efforts under state leadership. It called for mobilizing all available capabilities, resources, and capacities in pursuit of the overarching national objective of restoring state institutions and ending the Houthi threat.

In this context, the Council approved a number of directives and executive measures related to general mobilization. It stressed the need to move general mobilization from a broad framework to a disciplined institutional mechanism in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.

The Council also commended the swift and responsible response of the House of Representatives to the request to declare general mobilization and its fulfillment of its national and constitutional responsibilities.

The National Defense Council reiterated that the doors to safe return remain open and that the state is moving forward with protecting its citizens and restoring its institutions. It affirmed that the armed forces will continue to perform their duty until sources of threat are removed and the Yemeni people’s aspirations for security, peace, and development are achieved.

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