The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has pledged full operational support for the internationally recognised Yemeni government as it launches a major military offensive to reclaim territory held by the Iran-backed Houthi movement and restore state authority.
Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said Sunday the coalition would continue supporting Yemen’s government and armed forces in efforts to restore state institutions and end the Houthi takeover.
He said the coalition would stand alongside Yemen until state institutions were restored and the Houthi threat to maritime navigation in the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb was ended.
The coalition’s pledge came as President of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi announced the launch of military operations to recapture the country’s remaining territories controlled by the Houthis.
Al-Alimi said the offensive marked a “decisive phase” aimed at restoring security, rights and dignity to citizens in Houthi-controlled areas, stressing that civilians were not the targets of the operations.
Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of imposing internal blockades, forcibly displacing residents, looting resources and diverting resources towards their war effort. He also accused the group of recruiting children and damaging Yemen’s social fabric.
He said Houthi attacks and attempted attacks on Saudi Arabia, including attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, as well as attacks on Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Najran, Taif and Yanbu, warranted continued measures to deter the group.
Al-Maliki also cited attacks and attempted attacks on Saudi vessels in the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, describing them as a threat to regional and international security, freedom of navigation and international trade.
He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s “inherent right” to defend its sovereignty and security and to take operational measures to deter the Houthis and halt their violations.
He said the decision followed continued Houthi mobilisation, escalation and attacks, including threats against civilians, facilities, neighbouring countries and international shipping lanes.
Yemeni military spokesman Majid Al-Nuzaili separately announced the start of what he called the “battle of liberation” to end Houthi control over remaining territory and restore state institutions.
He called on Houthi-aligned fighters to lay down their arms and return to their homes, saying the government remained committed to protecting civilians during the offensive.
Al-Alimi called on residents in Houthi-controlled areas to stay away from militia gathering places and protect their children from being drawn into the fighting. He said every area reclaimed by the state would enter a phase of stability, recovery and reconstruction.
