Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad Al-Alimi has affirmed the government's commitment to extending its authority over the entirety of Yemen, warning the Houthis of the consequences of military escalation.
Al-Alimi praised the "victories of the armed forces" in the provinces of Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Taiz, and Hodeidah, as military operations and confrontations expanded across several fronts.
He stated that the Yemeni armed forces have demonstrated their ability to "deter and take the initiative," commending the role of air force and drones in supporting ground troops.
He added that the Houthis "chose the path of escalation and must bear the consequences," referring to renewed clashes on various battlefronts in recent hours.
Message Regarding Waterways
Al-Alimi emphasized that Yemeni authorities "will not allow Yemen to be used as a platform to threaten maritime routes," amidst rising tensions in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
His statements gain significance due to Yemen's strategic position overlooking Bab al-Mandab, a vital maritime corridor linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Al-Alimi's remarks follow an announcement by the Yemeni armed forces about extensive operations against the Houthis in several provinces.
The Yemeni forces announced the reclaiming and securing of positions in fronts in Taiz and Hodeidah, alongside thwarting a Houthi infiltration, while airstrikes targeted locations and barracks in Marib and other areas.
Al-Arabiya's correspondent reported that warplanes targeted the strategic Umm Rish camp of the Houthis south of Marib, coinciding with intensive artillery strikes on their positions in the province.
Al-Alimi's comments come as confrontations between government forces and Houthis escalate amid military maneuvers on multiple fronts.