The Head of the Presidential Leadership Council stated there is no blockade on Sanaa Airport and warned against any new violations of national sovereignty.
President Alimi Meets U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Yemen
On Thursday, President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, welcomed Jonathan Pecha, the U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Yemen. This meeting highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Yemen and the United States, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Strengthening Historical Ties
During the meeting, President Alimi praised the historical partnership between the two nations across various sectors. He emphasized the pivotal role of the United States in supporting Yemen’s security, stability, and counter-terrorism efforts, as well as in safeguarding regional security and maritime routes.
International Community’s Support
President Alimi expressed gratitude for the international community’s stance during the recent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. He noted the Council’s clear condemnation of Iranian violations of Yemen’s sovereignty and held the Iranian regime accountable for its support of Houthi militias, which challenges international legitimacy, particularly UN Resolution 2216.
Upholding Sovereignty and Responsibility
The President clarified that Yemen’s response to recent developments stems from its legal and moral obligations as a United Nations member state. He stressed the importance of protecting Yemen’s sovereignty while avoiding escalation, focusing instead on the primary objectives of the armed forces.
He stated, “This behavior illustrates the difference between a responsible state that adheres to international law and militias that use civilians as human shields in their reckless conflicts.” He affirmed that exercising restraint does not equate to conceding sovereignty but rather reflects responsible governance.
Commitment to National Airspace Security
President Alimi reiterated Yemen’s commitment to taking all lawful measures to protect its airspace and national sovereignty. He declared, “The Republic of Yemen will not allow any foreign aircraft to enter or land at any Yemeni airport without the approval of the legitimate government.”
Clarifying Airport Operations
The President clarified that the government has never closed Sana’a Airport, contrary to claims made by the militias. He pointed out that the government has offered all legal alternatives for operating the airport through Yemenia Airlines. However, the militias rejected these solutions, aiming to use the airport to impose a new reality that serves Houthi leaders and their families, rather than all Yemenis without discrimination.
Analyzing Houthi Behavior
President Alimi noted that the Houthi militias have consistently evaded peace obligations and the aspirations of Yemenis for security and stability. He criticized their tendency to create external confrontations, diverting attention from the core issues facing Yemen.
He added, “This approach and the troubled rhetoric have evolved into a permanent means of extorting both regional and international communities, creating successive crises to buy time and impose new realities by force.” He affirmed that such attempts will not obscure the truth of the conflict, emphasizing that peace begins with ending the coup and adhering to the will of the Yemeni people and the agreed-upon solutions at national, regional, and international levels.
Conclusion
The meeting concluded with the presence of Dr. Yahya Al-Shaibi, Director of the Presidency Office, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation between Yemen and the United States.
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