As clashes between Iran-backed Houthis and the legitimate government in Yemen intensify once again, the government side announced a mobilization. The UK also reiterated its support for its regional ally Saudi Arabia.
Government mobilizes all resources
Presidential Leadership Council member and Hadramaut Governor Salem Ahmed al-Hanbashi said on Wednesday that the state has mobilized all resources to deter the Houthi escalation and end the coup by re-establishing state institutions.
In a meeting with religious scholars and opinion leaders in Mukalla, al-Hanbashi stressed the need to strengthen moderate religious discourse and combat the sectarian ideology spread by the Houthis. Noting that steps have been taken to resume oil exports, al-Hanbashi categorically denied claims that the Houthis would receive a share of the revenues. 'The revenues will be used to serve citizens and improve the economic situation,' he said.
Houthis claim 'strategic transformation'
Houthi official Abdullah bin Amir, in a statement to the group's mouthpiece 26 September website, claimed that the current phase is different from previous ones and that Yemen has moved from prolonged patience to the implementation of its legitimate rights.
Bin Amir claimed that the decision to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia represents a strategic transformation against the 'American-Saudi aggression' that began in 2015. He argued that the justification for this step is 'to end the humanitarian suffering of Yemenis due to the blockade.'
UK stands by Riyadh
The UK's Ambassador to Yemen, Abda Sharif, strongly condemned the Houthis' threats against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. 'The United Kingdom stands firmly by Saudi Arabia,' Sharif said.
The ambassador warned that such provocations would lead to regional instability, endanger freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and undermine peace efforts in Yemen. She called on the Houthis to immediately halt their escalatory actions.
How did tensions escalate?
The Houthis' military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on Monday that they had decided to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, along with several Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council, rejected these threats on Tuesday and stressed the need to protect international waterways.
In recent days, clashes have flared up again between government forces and the Houthis in the governorates of Jawf, al-Dhale, and Taiz. The relative calm that had prevailed in Yemen since April 2022 was broken on July 13 when government forces targeted the runway of Sanaa Airport.
