Yemen's President Calls for General Mobilisation Against Iran-backed Houthis
The head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Rashid al-Alimi, has called on citizens to join a general mobilisation against the Iran-backed Houthis, who recently seized the entire Red Sea coast. The Houthis also attacked Riyadh for the first time in years.
Rashid al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and Supreme Commander of the Yemeni Armed Forces, on Friday called on the Yemeni people to join a general and national mobilisation in support of the country's armed and security forces in their fight against the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
The appeal comes weeks after Yemen's fragmented government suffered a major setback when the Houthis seized control of the country's entire Red Sea coast. Fighting between government forces and the Houthis continues, and the rebels are also attacking Saudi ships and territory.
In his speech, Alimi promised that any Houthi member who defects to the government side would be pardoned under an upcoming amnesty. Alimi leads the Saudi-backed council whose forces are fighting the Houthis with Saudi air support.
Attack on Riyadh
Over the weekend, the Houthis attacked the Saudi capital Riyadh for the first time in years, marking a significant escalation. On Friday, the military chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met to discuss how to support Riyadh.
Yemen and its Saudi backer are seeking international assistance against the Houthis. A source from Alimi's office said he had asked US President Donald Trump for American support during a phone call, but Trump did not promise military help. The Saudi crown prince reportedly also called Trump to again request assistance against the group's advances.
Since July, the Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia, ending a years-long truce and declaring a maritime blockade, striking Saudi targets and seizing Yemen's entire Red Sea coast in an effort to choke off Saudi oil exports.
Yemen's civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the government. The Houthis still control most of the country's north, the most populous region, while the government has been exiled to Aden, its self-declared temporary capital.
