Head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council announces military operations to reclaim territories controlled by the Houthi militia

Yemeni 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, following the exhaustion of de-escalation opportunities 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, in order to liberate the country from Houthi militias.

He clarified that the decision to launch the operations came after granting peace every opportunity and time it deserved, in contrast to the continued mobilization, escalation, and expansion of attacks and threats by Houthi militias against civilians, national facilities, neighboring countries, and international waterways.

He emphasized that the battle is not a war against citizens in Sana’a, Sa’ada, or any other province under the Houthi militia’s coercive control, nor does it target a specific sect or tribe. Rather, it is a struggle to restore state institutions and prevent the usurpation of Yemenis’ will by force of arms.

Al-Alimi 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, noting that the forces’ mission extends beyond reclaiming territory to include the restoration of state institutions to those areas.

Concurrently with the military operations, he announced that the government had been instructed to prepare a work plan to begin the resumption of state institutions’ responsibilities in each city, directorate, and province as it is reclaimed. This includes resuming salary payments to state employees in Houthi-controlled areas and addressing their outstanding dues, launching an urgent recovery and reconstruction program to repair roads, electricity, water, and damaged facilities, and creating conditions for the return of displaced persons and the resumption of economic activity.

He stressed that the success of the battle would not be measured by the number of cities reclaimed, but by the return of security to citizens, the return of families to their homes, and the prevention of a recurrence of killing, oppression, and the usurpation of the people’s will.

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

He called on brothers, friends, and partners in the international community to support Yemen, its armed forces, national institutions, and humanitarian and economic efforts, as well as 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, with God’s help, the bravery of the armed forces, the unity of the Yemeni people, and the support of brothers and friends.