Sana'a: The chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council declared that the government is not in favor of entering into a new truce with the Houthi rebels, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace that upholds a state monopoly on weapons and sovereignty. Rashad al-Alimi, speaking at a recent meeting with leaders and representatives of official and local media outlets, expressed that Yemen's decade-long experience has shown that previous truces allowed the Houthis to strengthen their military capabilities before resuming conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, al-Alimi stated, 'We are not for a new truce that reproduces previous experiences,' and called for 'lasting and sustainable peace' based on a state that monopolizes weapons and sovereignty, a constitution applicable to all, full equality among citizens, and institutions accountable to the people rather than rulers. He argued that the government's conclusion is that the Houthis represent "a project of war and destruction, not a project of peace."
Al-Alimi criticized the notion that the Houthis could be part of a peace process, claiming that they are associated with an Iranian strategic initiative dating back to the 1980s, aimed at controlling the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This, he said, has shifted the international focus from accommodating the Houthis to protecting Yemen, the region, and international waterways.
'The Yemeni government, the regional community, and the international community are now moving in one direction: How do we protect Yemenis first, international navigation, the region, and international peace and security?' al-Alimi commented, noting a significant change in the government's stance, highlighting increased domestic unity and a cohesive political and military front.
He warned that any future actions by the Houthi militias would be met with a response or comprehensive deterrence, asserting that Yemen's armed forces are now under a unified command and ready to defend national interests. The strategic goal, he stated, is to restore state institutions and overturn the Houthi coup.
Since 2022, Yemen experienced a relative reduction in hostilities between government forces and the Houthis, but renewed clashes erupted last month, resulting in numerous casualties. A comprehensive political agreement to end the conflict remains elusive, as the war continues to devastate Yemen's economy and infrastructure, causing one of the world's gravest humanitarian crises. The United Nations continues to advocate for a political resolution to the conflict.