Yemen: National Defense Council orders the armed forces to expand air and missile deterrence against the Houthi militia

Aden, August 17 (KUNA) – The Yemeni National Defense Council ordered the armed forces on Monday to expand air and missile deterrence operations against threat sources represented by the Houthi militia, in coordination among various fronts and military formations. This directive came during a meeting convened by the Yemeni National Defense Council, chaired by Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, with the attendance of PLC members, as well as the heads of the Council of Ministers, the House of Representatives, the Shura Council, ministers, and security and military leaders.

The meeting, according to the state-run Yemeni News Agency (Saba), discussed the ground situation and the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia using ballistic missiles and drones against sovereign facilities, civilian assets, citizens’ homes, and displacement camps, which have resulted in casualties, including women and children.

The Council also directed the intensification of intelligence and security efforts to track the militia’s cells and smuggling, supply, and internal support networks, linking these efforts to a swift and effective judicial process. This aims to enhance the integration of the state’s military, security, and legal instruments in confronting terrorist threats.

The Council expressed “great pride” in the performance of the armed forces, highlighting their demonstrated competence, discipline, and readiness in protecting citizens and sovereign and vital facilities. It commended the specialized operations of the drone force and its “precise and painful” strikes against the military capabilities and positions of the Houthi militias.

It stressed the importance of maintaining military and security readiness at the highest levels across all fronts and axes, strengthening the early warning system, and enhancing the protection of vital and sovereign facilities and civilian assets.

The Council expressed its appreciation for the “pioneering” role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its steadfast support for the Yemeni people and its political leadership at all levels, as well as its role in enhancing the security and stability of Yemen and the region, and in leading regional and international coalition efforts to confront threat sources and terrorism, and to protect the security of international navigation and waterways.

It also commended the unity of the international community and its clear positions holding the Houthi militia responsible for escalation and for threatening the security of Yemen, the region, and waterways. (End) S.N.S./M.S.A.