Yemen’s governing council chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, has called for a nationwide mobilisation against the Houthis and offered an immediate amnesty to fighters who defect to government forces.
The appeal came in his first speech since Houthi rebels drove internationally recognised government forces from parts of the western Red Sea coast, advancing towards the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb strait.
“I call on the sons of our great people to engage in a general mobilisation and national mobilisation to rally around their armed and security forces, join their ranks through official channels, and contribute each from their respective position in whatever way they can,” Mr al-Alimi said in a recorded address.
He said the amnesty would take effect immediately, provided it was granted in accordance with constitutional and legal procedures. The offer applies to Houthi members who leave the group and join the government side.
Mr al-Alimi said the internationally recognised government’s objective was to regain control of the capital, Sana’a, which the Houthis seized in 2014, and restore state authority across Yemen.
“Our objective is clear to everyone both at home and abroad: to restore state institutions and exercise their sovereignty over the entire country, including Sana’a,” he said.
His address marked the 64th anniversary of the military coup that removed the monarchy ruling northern Yemen and led to the civil war in 1962.
The call came as military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan held their first meeting under the trilateral Mecca Pact defence agreement, amid continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said its air defences had intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards Khamis Mushait, as well as two drones heading towards Riyadh.
