The Cabinet discusses the implications of Houthi escalation and takes measures to enhance government response to developments.

Government Council Holds Meeting in Aden

On Saturday, the Yemeni Cabinet convened in the temporary capital of Aden, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Sha’if Mohsen Al-Zandani. The meeting focused on the latest developments in military, security, political, economic, and humanitarian situations amid the escalating military actions by the Houthi militia, supported by the Iranian regime. The council discussed the implications of this escalation on national security, regional stability, and the safety of maritime routes.

Military Operations and Humanitarian Conditions

The council reviewed the progress of military operations across various fronts and assessed combat readiness. It also addressed the humanitarian conditions resulting from the Houthi escalation, including new waves of displacement. The government outlined measures taken in humanitarian, service, health, and economic sectors to ensure that citizens remain unaffected.

Based on reports and updates from relevant ministers, the Cabinet approved several directives and necessary actions to enhance the government’s response to current developments. It emphasized the importance of following through on these actions by ministries and relevant authorities to ensure the continuity of state institutions, protect citizens, and meet their needs while addressing the consequences of the escalation.

Prime Minister’s Commitment to Citizens

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Al-Zandani reaffirmed the government’s full responsibility and awareness of the challenges at hand. He stated that the government operates from Aden, closely monitoring developments, evaluating the situation, setting priorities, and making necessary decisions based on field developments. He coordinated continuously with President Rashad Al-Alimi and members of the Presidential Leadership Council. He stressed that despite the current escalation, it would not disrupt state operations or create a vacuum for the Houthi militia and its backers to exploit.

Dr. Al-Zandani clarified that the Houthi escalation is not a transient development or merely a new round of confrontation. Instead, it represents a wide-ranging and dangerous escalation that extends beyond Yemen and connects to an Iranian agenda that uses Yemen’s strategic location to threaten regional security and international navigation. He emphasized that the government’s responsibility is to manage this phase with a state mindset, avoiding exaggeration, denial, or allowing space for rumors and inaccurate assessments.

Government’s Focus on Civilian Safety

The Prime Minister reassured citizens across various provinces that their safety and security remain the government’s top priority. He noted that the government’s duty extends beyond military developments to include protecting lives, maintaining essential services, securing needs, and addressing the economic and humanitarian impacts of the escalation. He stressed the importance of not allowing rumors and misleading narratives to instill fear or disrupt the internal front.

Military Readiness and Support

The Cabinet listened to a report from the Minister of Defense regarding military and field conditions across various fronts. The report detailed the developments in confrontations amid the recent Houthi escalation and assessed the operational readiness and needs of the forces stationed in combat zones. The Minister highlighted the necessity of increasing governmental support for the armed forces and security, enhancing their capacity to protect citizens, confront the escalation, and regain the initiative.

The Cabinet reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities based on the outcomes and directives from the National Defense Council meeting, chaired by President Al-Alimi. It emphasized enhancing readiness and providing necessary support to the armed forces and security personnel across various fronts. The Cabinet expressed condolences for the fallen heroes who lost their lives due to Houthi attacks and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. It assured that the government would care for the families of the martyrs and fulfill their rights, providing the best treatment and care for the wounded.

Appreciation for Armed Forces’ Resilience

The Cabinet praised the steadfastness and resilience demonstrated by the armed forces and security personnel on various fronts, recognizing their sacrifices and heroism in defending the homeland and protecting citizens against the Houthi militia’s project. It commended the widespread public support for the armed forces and national forces in this confrontation, reflecting community awareness.

Understanding the Current Military Developments

Prime Minister Al-Zandani emphasized that the difficult military developments witnessed in recent days should not be interpreted as the end of the confrontation or a resolution of its course. He asserted that battles should not be measured by the outcome of a single day or a change in position but by the state’s ability to reorganize its efforts, mobilize resources, support its forces, maintain institutional cohesion, and regain the initiative.

Humanitarian Response to Houthi Escalation

The Cabinet discussed the humanitarian conditions arising from the Houthi militia’s escalation and the new waves of displacement from affected areas. It directed relevant ministries and government agencies to coordinate with local authorities and international partners to enhance urgent response efforts, assess needs and the number of displaced individuals, and provide shelter, food, water, healthcare, and essential needs. The Cabinet emphasized improving shelter conditions and ensuring that aid reaches those in need.

It reiterated that protecting civilians and displaced persons represents an urgent national and humanitarian responsibility and that the government would not abandon families forced to flee.

Local Authorities’ Efforts in Aden

The Cabinet commended the efforts of the local authority in Aden to address the consequences of the escalation, welcoming displaced families from conflict areas and providing essential needs in coordination with government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and international partners. It also acknowledged the efforts of security and military agencies and service providers in maintaining security and stability and ensuring the regularity of public life.

Ensuring Continuity of Essential Services

In terms of services, the Cabinet reviewed the status of ongoing and improving essential services and the government’s plans to ensure they remain unaffected by current developments, particularly in electricity, water, health, and other vital sectors. It emphasized the need to enhance operational readiness, address any emerging bottlenecks swiftly, and work with local authorities to ensure the continuity of services, preventing security and military conditions from disrupting citizens’ lives or hindering their interests.

Impact of Houthi Escalation on Maritime Security

The Cabinet discussed the implications of the Houthi escalation on the western coast, Bab al-Mandab, and international shipping. It affirmed that threats to ships and trade routes, as well as risks to maritime navigation, do not solely concern Yemen but pose a threat to regional and international security and trade flows.

The Cabinet reiterated the government’s strong condemnation of the renewed Houthi attacks on the territory of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its legitimate right to protect its security, citizens, and resources. The Cabinet stated that using Yemeni territory as a platform to target Saudi Arabia constitutes aggression against the interests of the Yemeni people before being a threat to its neighbors, revealing the nature of the external agenda driving the Houthi militia.

Appreciation for Saudi Support

The Cabinet expressed the government’s appreciation for the sincere fraternal positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the support it provides—politically, economically, militarily, and humanitarianly—to Yemen and its legitimate leadership. It also valued the positions of brotherly and friendly countries supporting Yemen and its people during these circumstances.

The Cabinet confirmed that the government does not wait for the crisis to end before taking action; rather, it manages the crisis, addresses its impacts, and prepares for what follows. It assured that state institutions would continue to fulfill their responsibilities under the most challenging conditions, prioritizing results, fieldwork, and enhancing coordination among various state agencies.

Call for Unified Government Action

The Cabinet emphasized that the current phase requires unified government action, institutional discipline, rapid response, and integration among military, security, humanitarian, economic, and service pathways to maintain citizens’ resilience and enhance the state’s capacity to confront challenges.

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