Yemen: National Defense Council Approves Firm Response to Houthi Attacks, Raises Readiness to Maximum Alert

The Yemeni National Defense Council adopted a number of decisions concerning the raising of military and security readiness levels, and ensuring the immediate implementation of measures to respond to attacks by the Ansar Allah movement (the Houthis). During an emergency meeting held yesterday, Friday, and chaired by Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and Supreme Commander of the Yemeni Armed Forces, the council discussed recent developments on the ground, foremost among them the ballistic missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis against positions of the armed forces, sovereign facilities, civilian assets, and displacement camps in the governorates of Marib, Hadhramaut, and Shabwa, which resulted in casualties, including women and children.

The council expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased, wished the wounded a speedy recovery, and reaffirmed its commitment to taking all necessary measures to care for them and deliver a resolute response to the sources of threat. It stressed that these sacrifices would further strengthen the resolve of the Yemeni people and the armed forces to complete the battle to restore state institutions, which it described as the true pathway to stability in Yemen and the region, as well as to safeguard international navigation.

The council heard detailed reports on military readiness, measures taken to protect civilians, and efforts to enhance defensive capabilities, commending the efficiency and sacrifices of the armed forces and security agencies in confronting the Houthis, organized crime, and arms smuggling, as well as their contributions to protecting international shipping lanes in coordination with the international community. It emphasized the need to continue raising readiness and vigilance, strengthen coordination among military, security, and intelligence units, and called on all political and media forces to rally behind state institutions and unify the national discourse.

The council welcomed the Jeddah Agreement on Joint Defense between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, regarding it as a strategic step to enhance collective security and regional stability, and commended Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in building responsible international partnerships. The council adopted decisions to raise military, security, and civil defense readiness; strengthen coordination among state institutions; protect civilians and critical infrastructure; and ensure the immediate implementation of a resolute response to aggression. It also approved the continuation of its permanent session status to enable swift responses to developments.