Yemeni Presidential Council Announces Start of Military Operations to Retake Territories Controlled by Houthis

The Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, announced on Sunday the commencement of military operations to reclaim the remaining territories of the republic and reassert state authority across the entire national territory, following the exhaustion of de-escalation efforts with the Houthi militia.

In a message addressed to the Yemeni people, al-Alimi stated that he had issued directives to the armed forces, security agencies, and all military formations to begin executing their missions in accordance with approved plans, aiming to liberate the country from Houthi militias.

He clarified that the decision to launch operations came after granting peace every opportunity and time it deserved, while the Houthi militias continued to mobilize, escalate tensions, and expand their attacks and threats against civilians, national infrastructure, neighboring countries, and international waterways.

Al-Alimi emphasized that the battle is not a war against the citizens of Sana’a, Sa’ada, or any other province forcibly controlled by the Houthi militia, nor does it target any sect or tribe. Rather, it is a struggle to restore state institutions and prevent the usurpation of Yemenis’ will by force of arms.

He called on citizens in areas under militia control to stay away from military sites, gatherings, and supply routes, and to protect their children from being drawn into the fighting.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the Safe Return Initiative and the announced amnesty for those misled into joining the Houthi militia, stressing that the door remains open for anyone who lays down their arms, ceases hostilities with the militias, and returns to their families and homeland in accordance with announced procedures.

Al-Alimi directed the armed forces, security agencies, all military formations, and popular resistance to adhere to the law, protect civilians and property during operations, and noted that the mission of the forces extends beyond reclaiming territory to include the restoration of state institutions in those areas.

Concurrently with the military operations, he announced that the government had been directed to prepare a work plan to begin restoring state institutions’ functions in each city, directorate, and province as it is reclaimed, to start paying salaries to state employees in Houthi-controlled areas, to address outstanding dues, and to launch an urgent recovery and reconstruction program to repair roads, electricity, water, and damaged infrastructure, while creating conditions for the return of displaced persons and the resumption of economic activity.

He praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s supportive stance toward Yemen, its role in bolstering state institutions, alleviating the suffering of the people, and hosting millions of Yemenis, affirming that it will remain a genuine partner in Yemen’s destiny, security, stability, and peace, as well as in the broader region.

He called on brotherly and friendly nations, as well as partners in the international community, to support Yemen, its armed forces, national institutions, humanitarian and economic efforts, and recovery and reconstruction programs in areas returning to state authority.

He stressed that all state military, security, and civil institutions would remain on full alert until the mission is accomplished and victory is achieved, with God’s help, through the bravery of the armed forces, the unity of the Yemeni people, and the support of brothers and friends.