Head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council officially announces launch of military operations to reclaim Yemeni territories

Aden, Oct 4 (KUNA) -- Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman, 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, after diplomatic de-escalation efforts with the Houthi militia had been exhausted.

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 possible opportunity and time, only to see the Houthi militias continue mobilizing, escalating tensions, and expanding their attacks and threats against civilians, national infrastructure, neighboring countries, and international shipping lanes.

Al-Alimi emphasized that the conflict is not a war against the citizens of Sanaa, Saada, 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 avoid 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 established procedures.

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

Concurrently with the military operations, he announced that the government has been instructed to prepare a work program to enable state institutions to resume their responsibilities in each city, district, and province as it is liberated, one by one. This includes resuming salary payments to state employees in Houthi-controlled areas, settling their outstanding dues, launching an urgent recovery and reconstruction program, repairing roads, electricity, water, and damaged infrastructure, and creating conditions for the return of displaced persons and the resumption of economic activity.

He stressed that the success of the campaign would not be measured by the number of cities recaptured, but by the restoration of security for citizens, the return of families to their homes, and the prevention of repeated acts of killing, oppression, and the suppression of the people’s will.

Al-Alimi praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s supportive stance toward Yemen, its role in bolstering state institutions, alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people, and hosting millions of Yemeni refugees, affirming that Saudi Arabia remains 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 emphasized that all military, security, and civilian state institutions would remain on full alert until the mission is accomplished and victory is achieved, by the grace of God, through the bravery of the armed forces, the unity of the Yemeni people, and the support of brothers and friends. (End) S.N.S./A.M.H.