Yemen's President Rashid al-Alimi has called for a general mobilization of his people to counter the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been ramping up attacks on government forces and their Saudi backer. In a speech, al-Alimi urged Yemenis to rally around their armed and security forces. He also announced an upcoming amnesty for anyone defecting from the Houthis to the government side. This call for mobilization comes weeks after the Houthis seized control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast.
The Houthis have been escalating their attacks on the government's Saudi backer since July, ending a years-long truce and declaring a maritime blockade. They have been hitting Saudi targets and seeking to stifle Saudi oil exports. The group's advances have been met with concern from Saudi Arabia, which has been providing air support to the Yemeni government. The Saudi military has been intercepting Houthi ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh.
The military chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan held talks on how to support Riyadh as Yemen's Houthis ramp up attacks on the world's top crude exporter. The talks come as Yemen and its Saudi backer seek international help to counter the Houthis. A source from al-Alimi's office said he requested American support in a call with US President Donald Trump against the Iran-backed Houthis.
However, Trump did not promise military help. According to reports, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia called Trump to implore him to help counter the group's advances, but Trump rebuffed a similar request last week. The Yemeni government has been seeking international support to counter the Houthis, who have been controlling much of the north, Yemen's most populated areas.
The Houthis now control much of the north, Yemen's most populated areas, while the government was exiled to Aden, its self-proclaimed temporary capital. The group's advances have been a major blow to the Yemeni government, which has been struggling to maintain control. The conflict in Yemen began after the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014.
A Saudi-led coalition stepped in the following year to shore up the government. Since then, the conflict has been escalating, with the Houthis launching attacks on Saudi targets and the Saudi military intercepting their ballistic missiles. The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering, with thousands of civilians killed or injured. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of human rights abuses. The international community continues to urge restraint and a return to peace talks.
Key points
- Yemen's President Rashid al-Alimi calls for general mobilization to counter Iran-backed Houthis.
- The Houthis have been escalating their attacks on the government's Saudi backer since July.
- The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
