Yemen signals tougher strategy to deter Houthi escalation
ADEN – Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) ordered on Tuesday the country’s military, security and intelligence services to raise readiness to the highest levels and authorised proactive measures against Houthi threats, including strikes against command centres and military capabilities.
The council, chaired by PLC Chairman Rashad al-Alimi, said the armed forces and all military formations were prepared to confront any escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi movement and make it more costly for its leadership, military capabilities and sources of funding.
“The state is moving forward in its struggles to restore its institutions, assert its authority over its entire national territory and put an end of the humanitarian suffering caused by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias,” the council said.
The meeting examined military, security and economic developments and the government’s options for dealing with continued Houthi escalation, restoring state institutions and ending the movement’s control over parts of the country.
The PLC said it had received reports on field developments, attacks targeting vital facilities and civilian property, and plans for the next phase of the government’s response.
It urged authorities to take all lawful measures to protect civilians, sovereign facilities and national interests, including proactive action against sources of threats, command and control centres and military capabilities being used or prepared to target government forces, civilians and vital infrastructure.
The council said successful military operations in recent weeks had demonstrated the government forces’ ability to thwart Houthi attacks and target the movement’s military capabilities.
It said those operations had sent a clear message that “the time of cities being violated and civilians and national facilities being targeted without consequences, is over”.
The statement did not provide details of specific planned operations.
The council also approved a series of economic and security measures aimed at restoring state control over ports, revenues and national services, while stepping up efforts to combat smuggling, terrorism financing and organised crime.
Authorities were instructed to pursue people involved in smuggling activities, including facilitators and beneficiaries, regardless of their location or status, and hold accountable anyone found guilty or negligent in carrying out their duties.
The measures are intended to protect state resources and cut funding channels to armed groups and other illegal activities, the council said.
At the same time, the PLC said the economic measures would be implemented in a way that protected citizens and the private sector, including savings and legitimate financial transfers, while safeguarding supplies of food, medicine and other essential goods.
Yemen has been divided by more than a decade of conflict, with the Houthis controlling the capital Sanaa and much of the country’s north and west, while the internationally-recognised government and allied forces control parts of the south and east.
The Houthis, who seized Sana’a in 2014, have fought a Saudi-led coalition and government forces for years. The movement is closely aligned with Iran and has built significant military capabilities, including missiles and drones.
The PLC has increasingly sought to consolidate the authority of the internationally-recognised government while facing economic pressures, political divisions and security challenges.
Tuesday’s announcement comes as the council seeks to strengthen state institutions and improve coordination between Yemen’s military and security formations.
The council said the government would firmly confront attempts to cooperate with smuggling networks, terrorism financing and organised crime.
It also stressed that its campaign was aimed at restoring state authority and confronting weapons outside state institutions, rather than targeting Yemen’s population or any particular region or community.