The government affirms that lifting the siege on Taiz and protecting its residents is a top priority, urging expanded international classification of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization.

Yemeni Government Prioritizes Lifting Houthi Siege on Taiz

The Yemeni government has confirmed that lifting the siege imposed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia on Taiz province, as well as protecting its residents and securing supply routes, ranks among its top national responsibilities.

In a statement issued during a conference reviewing the impacts of the Houthi war and siege on Taiz, held today in the temporary capital of Aden, the government declared, “The ongoing war and siege imposed by the Houthi militia represent a continuous assault on citizens and their rights, as well as on the sovereignty of the state and its institutions.” The government emphasized that starving citizens, bombarding them, and cutting off their means of livelihood will not grant the militia any right to govern or determine their fate.

Conference Aims to Raise Awareness

The statement clarified that the conference’s purpose in Aden was to present facts to the public, diplomatic missions, and international organizations. It aimed to identify responsibility for these violations and push for effective international measures to halt them and confront the perpetrators.

The statement detailed the consequences of the war and siege on the lives, security, food, healthcare, and education of the residents. It noted that road closures and supply disruptions have exacerbated the suffering of patients, the injured, and families. Furthermore, it highlighted the targeting of civilians, medical facilities, and personnel, the planting of landmines, the displacement of residents, and the exploitation and recruitment of children, which have intensified the scale and severity of violations.

Government Holds Houthis Accountable

The government held the Houthi militia responsible for these actions and their consequences, asserting that the rights of victims will remain a foundation for documentation, prosecution, and accountability efforts.

Additionally, the government reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing state resources and supporting the armed forces to fulfill their duty in defending the republic, lifting the siege on Taiz, restoring state institutions, and protecting citizens. This commitment aligns with the declaration of President Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, regarding the general mobilization and the launch of the “Dawn of Yemen” campaign.

Call for National Unity

The government urged national forces and components to unify their efforts behind state institutions and its armed forces. It emphasized that defending Taiz constitutes a collective national responsibility and that its security is integral to the security of Aden and all Yemeni provinces.

The government condemned the Iranian military, financial, and technical support provided to the Houthi militia, which includes supplies of weapons, missiles, drones, and expertise that enhance their capacity to continue their assaults. It held the Iranian regime accountable for its support, which fuels the war and deepens the suffering of Yemenis. The government called for effective international measures to stop this support and to track the networks supplying arms, funding, and military technologies to the militia, holding those involved accountable.

Addressing Houthi Terrorism

The government asserted that confronting Houthi terrorism requires a serious approach to the realities that reveal the nature of this group and its practices against the population. The siege of cities, targeting of civilians, recruitment of children, and threats to international shipping routes necessitate a consistent international stance and measures commensurate with their severity. It stated that protecting regional security and international navigation cannot be separated from enabling the Yemeni state to restore its sovereignty and eliminate the militia’s threat.

The government called on its brothers, partners, and the international community to provide all forms of political, diplomatic, military, security, logistical, economic, and humanitarian support necessary for the Yemeni government, its institutions, and armed forces to lift the siege on Taiz, secure routes and supplies, protect residents, and restore state authority in coordination with the government and in accordance with international law.

It also urged them to take urgent and specific actions to pressure the militia to stop its assaults on civilians, end the siege, permanently and safely open main roads, and ensure the free movement of food, medicine, fuel, and aid without obstruction or extortion, with clear follow-up on implementation.

International Classification of Houthis as Terrorists

The government stressed the need to expand the international classification of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization and to implement the legal and financial measures that follow, imposing targeted sanctions on leaders and entities involved in violations and their funding. It called for protecting the delivery of essential needs to civilians, enforcing an arms embargo on the militia, tightening oversight on smuggling and funding networks, and halting Iranian supplies of weapons and military components, taking necessary actions against individuals and entities facilitating their arrival, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.

The government confirmed its commitment to pursuing these demands through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions, working with national authorities to complete files of violations and refer them to investigative and judicial bodies, while coordinating with local authorities to address the needs of the province. It reiterated the commitment of state institutions and armed forces to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law while carrying out their duties.

The government praised the resilience of the people of Taiz and the sacrifices of the armed forces, security, and popular resistance. It also appreciated the efforts of medical teams and relief workers who continue to fulfill their duties under extremely difficult conditions.

The Yemeni government expressed its deep appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government, and people, for their comprehensive and ongoing support for the legitimate government and the Yemeni people, as well as their sacrifices in confronting the Houthi project backed by Iran. It noted that this brotherly stance will remain a source of loyalty and pride for Yemenis.

The government stated, “We expect our international partners to take practical steps to support us in fulfilling this responsibility, with the clear criterion for any international action being its impact on lifting the siege, stopping assaults, and cutting off the sources of arms and funding for the militia.”

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