Council member Othman Majli: Saada is not the Houthi stronghold, the countdown has begun, and the battle will be long.

Major Military Victories Announced in Yemen

Member of the Presidential Leadership Council, Sheikh Othman Majali, praised the significant military victories achieved by the armed forces and all military formations in the western coast and Marib Governorate. These forces successfully liberated the Dhobab area and the city of Al-Mokha from the Iran-backed Houthi militia. This operation is part of “Fajr Yemen,” which commenced today to restore state institutions, liberate the capital Sana’a, and end the Houthi coup. Sheikh Majali highlighted the support provided by the Saudi-led Coalition for the legitimacy of Yemen.

Call to Action for Armed Forces and Citizens

Sheikh Othman Majali emphasized that the announcement by President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Alimi, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council, to begin military operations aims to reclaim the remaining territories of the Republic. He urged the armed forces, security personnel, tribes, and volunteers to unite against the Houthi militia, which he accused of executing an Iranian agenda.

In an interview on the “Al-Soura” program on Rotana Khaleejia, Majali stated, “The battle is long and not against a tribe, party, or sect. Before this rebellious faction emerged, everyone was brothers and cooperated in a homeland where its people coexisted. This faction has stirred chaos and devastated agriculture and livelihoods.” He added that the actions of the militia in Taiz are shameful, calling for swift and decisive action from all sides.

Defiance Against the Houthi Militia

Majali delivered a strong message to the Houthis, asserting that even if they only have one inch of land left in Yemen, they will fight for it. He stated, “We are proponents of a national project and not agents for anyone. I am from Saada, and we have coexisted with the people and supported the state. The Houthis rebelled against the state and have called for the killing of the army since the 1980s. We tell Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi that we oppose your project, and we will stand against it with all our might. We will enter Sana’a, whether it takes a long time or not; Sana’a and Saada are essential.”

Unity and Commitment to National Goals

He continued, “The President’s message is clear, and everyone must align with it. Those in Houthi-controlled areas should stand with themselves and the armed forces. We will exert our utmost efforts in this project, and with God’s will, we will be victorious. Sana’a, Saada, and all governorates of the Republic belong to us, and security, peace, and development will prevail for our children to coexist in safety and stability.”

Majali affirmed the readiness for the liberation battle with strength and determination to achieve the goal of freeing the country from this rebellious and terrorist faction. He stressed the importance of the President’s speech, which warned against repeating past mistakes, stating that peace with the Houthi militia is a myth. He pointed out the extent of Iranian military support for the Houthis, including missiles and drones, as well as the presence of Iranian military experts in Yemen aiding the Houthi coup.

Assurance to Citizens Under Houthi Control

Sheikh Majali reassured citizens in Houthi-controlled areas, saying, “The citizens are our family. We are a national project, and we want to return to our country and our people with dignity, ensuring no one’s property or rights are confiscated. We reject violence and killing, especially in light of the Houthi practices of rights violations, demolishing homes, mosques, schools, and health centers, and committing atrocities against anyone who opposes them. The evidence is abundant and cannot be summarized briefly.”

He praised the President’s speech, which aims to restore state institutions, law, and development, contrasting it with the Houthi’s false narrative based on conquests, crimes, and claims of divine mandate. He noted that the Houthi militia began its armed rebellion against the state in 2004, quickly turning against its allies, killing them, and destroying their homes.

Call for Unity Against Houthi Crimes

Majali affirmed the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council during this critical phase marked by Houthi crimes that necessitate collective action against them. He stated that these crimes only strengthen their resolve to unite as leadership, parties, and tribes against the Houthi militia. He emphasized that this is a responsibility for all and a disgrace if they do not unite and fight, as the battle today serves everyone’s interests. They will exert every effort to implement the President’s directives through a unified operations room to manage the situation.

He noted that the battles on the western coast have boosted their morale and reinforced their belief in the necessity of rallying efforts to reclaim Yemen. They have coordinated with political figures and tribes ready to stand with the state against the Houthi militia, which has exhausted them and taken their children to the slaughter while distorting educational curricula with misguided ideologies that do not build the nation. He confirmed that the battlefronts include fighters from all Yemenis and societal segments, standing firm in the deserts and mountains against the Houthi militia.

Optimism for the Future of Yemen

Sheikh Majali expressed optimism about liberating Sana’a, Saada, and all of Yemen, driven by their steadfast belief in their national cause and determination. He asserted that the Houthi militia would not accept peace, as it serves as an Iranian tool. He appreciated the support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Yemen throughout history, including backing the legitimacy and humanitarian efforts for stability in Yemen.

He discussed the origins of the Houthi militia and its relationship with Iran, noting Iranian support since the 1980s. He stated, “There were mutual visits between Houthi leaders and the Iranian side, attendance at public festivals and conferences, and organizing summer camps to instill hatred in generations. Additionally, the Iranian hospital in Sana’a was closed because it acted as an operations room in Yemen and the region, bringing in doctors from Iran who were actually members of the Revolutionary Guard, receiving clients under the guise of patients.”

He remarked, “The six wars in Saada from 2004 to 2010 were arranged by Iran to target the Yemeni regime. During every truce in those wars, the Houthi militia worked to arrange its affairs and settle scores with anyone who cooperated with the state against them, destroying their homes and state centers.” He emphasized that it is unjust to consider Saada a Houthi stronghold, as Saada fought alongside the state against the Houthis for years and that the soldiers of the armed forces are part of it. He stated that without the positions of the people of Saada at that time, the state would not have endured for months, reflecting their commitment to supporting the state, stability, and development, which itself serves as a referendum against the Houthi project.

He added, “We will not forget the day we left Saada after fighting against the Houthi militia, the last of which was in 2011, during which we made many sacrifices in lives and resources without receiving any support. We did not evacuate our families from our properties until the night we left Saada, after which we headed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which had honorable positions with us upon our arrival.” He reiterated his refusal to join the Houthi militia against the state, insisting on the option of peace under the state’s umbrella, affirming that they will not abandon their country and land and will return to it, passing this commitment to their children.

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