Yemeni 'Legitimacy' launches 'State Restoration' battle
With the declaration of zero hour and the end of the truce period with the Houthi militias, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi advanced the crisis file to its final stage on Sunday, announcing the launch of a comprehensive and open military operation to rectify past mistakes and reclaim the remaining parts of the country’s map, thereby extending state sovereignty over its territories.
In an unprecedented televised address to Yemenis, al-Alimi stated that the current steps are part of a path he announced on September 26 to prepare for what he described as a “national battle,” noting that the state had granted the option of peace the time and opportunities it deserved.
He indicated that he had issued directives to the military forces to begin executing their missions to restore the state, considering the current phase as a transition from readiness to field operations, following the path announced on September 26, which included general mobilization and opening the door for safe return for those wishing to leave the Houthi ranks.
In a direct message to residents of areas under Houthi control, al-Alimi stressed that the military operations “are not a war” against the people of Sana’a, Al Hudaydah, or Sa’ada, nor do they target a specific sect or tribe, but rather aim to restore state institutions.
He affirmed that civilians are not targets of the operations, urging them to stay away from Houthi gathering sites and military presence areas, to refrain from involving their children in battles, and to cooperate with the armed forces and security agencies.
He added that the security, rights, and dignity of citizens are among the goals the government proposes for its operations, pledging that every city reclaimed by the state will enter a phase of stability, recovery, and reconstruction.
He emphasized that the Yemeni state had borne much by favoring the option of peace, considering that the chances for de-escalation had been exhausted, adding that the state is today, with the support of the coalition backing legitimacy, exercising its responsibility to protect citizens and restore its institutions.
In his speech, al-Alimi directed a message of thanks to Saudi Arabia, expressing “great gratitude” to its leadership and people, stating that it stood by Yemen during the most difficult circumstances, and affirming that his country would continue to view the Kingdom as a “genuine partner in destiny and security,” while calling on “brotherly and friendly nations and the international community to stand by Yemen in the coming phase.”
He considered that the current phase, from the government’s perspective, aims to address “past mistakes and restore state institutions,” stating that the authorities “now know the path to victory,” as the confrontation with the Houthis enters a new stage of military escalation.
He affirmed that the authorities had moved from the preparation stage to action, announcing the start of military operations aimed at reclaiming remaining areas outside government control, adding that his government “had exhausted all chances for de-escalation” with the Houthis, and accusing the group of targeting neighboring countries and international waterways, and involving children in combat.
Concurrently with the escalation of military clashes in Taizz governorate in southwestern Yemen, the Houthi group intensified its campaigns of pursuit and arrest in the captive capital Sana’a, targeting citizens accused of supporting government forces and popular resistance in Taizz, or expressing positions opposing the military escalation witnessed by the governorate.
Meanwhile, the Southern Transitional Council announced its readiness for general popular mobilization, “to defend the South and its national project,” through a central rally in the temporary capital Aden and across southern governorates on the 14th of the current month.
Meanwhile, the air force of the legitimate forces carried out a series of intensive airstrikes, exceeding 20 raids, targeting Houthi militia positions and camps, as well as command and control centers and military reinforcements in the governorates of Al-Jawf and Marib.
A spokesperson for the forces announced that air strikes were directed at vital targets of the militia in Sana’a and Saada, prompting a state of alert in Al-Bayda governorate after its tribes issued calls for a general mobilization against the rebels.
