Second Statement by President of Presidential Leadership Council, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

  Aden

A statement by His Excellency President of Presidential Leadership Council, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

My fellow Yemenis,

Members of our armed forces and security services,

Further to my statement issued earlier today, and the statement of the Presidential Leadership Council, both of which contained clear warnings regarding the repeated violations of Yemen’s sovereignty and outlined the state’s responsible initiatives to spare our country and people further escalation, today’s actions by the Houthi terrorist militias have once again confirmed their determination to undermine prospects for peace. They have also reaffirmed their rejection of all initiatives aimed at protecting the interests of citizens and safeguarding Yemen’s security and stability.

Despite the efforts of our brothers and friends, and despite mediation and good offices aimed at containing the situation, the Houthi militias insisted on imposing a new fait accompli by receiving another unlawful flight. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen, a deliberate affront to state institutions, and an outright rejection of all efforts to prevent the country from sliding into further escalation.

In response to these developments, our armed forces and security services were placed on the highest level of readiness and carried out the necessary defensive measures by targeting the runway at Sana’a Airport to protect national sovereignty. They demonstrated exceptional professionalism and full capability to deter this threat to the Republic’s airspace, prevent the imposition of any unconstitutional and unlawful fait accompli, and reaffirm the state’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and security through all legitimate means.

In my constitutional capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and following the completion of all military, security and political assessments, I directed that priority be given to protecting civilian lives and preserving public property. I also instructed that the confrontation not be expanded in order to deny Iran its objective of dragging Yemen and its people into wars that serve its own interests and of exploiting Yemen, its land and its people, as a bargaining chip in its regional conflict.

I also affirm in the clearest terms that the state will not allow any aircraft in the future to violate Yemeni airspace, whether at Sana’a Airport or any other airport. Any attempt to impose a fait accompli that infringes upon Yemen’s sovereignty or undermines its authority over its territory, airspace and all border crossings will be deterred.

This decision does not represent any retreat from the state’s duty to protect its sovereignty, nor does it reflect leniency toward any violation. Rather, it is a responsible sovereign decision taken from a position of strength and confidence in the capabilities of our armed forces, after the state had demonstrated its full readiness to defend its sovereignty. It was also intended to spare our people the risks and consequences that the Houthi militias sought to exploit for political and propaganda purposes.

The Yemeni government has consistently been, and remains, the party most committed to ensuring the continued operation of Sana’a Airport in a lawful and safe manner. It has presented practical initiatives to operate civilian flights through Yemenia Airways, the country’s sole national carrier legally authorized to conduct such operations. The government also expressed its readiness to facilitate the transport of the militia delegation aboard an aircraft chartered by the airline to the agreed destination, in a manner that safeguards citizens’ interests and ensures the airport’s continued operation in accordance with the law.

However, the Houthi militias rejected all of these initiatives and insisted on imposing a fait accompli that serves their own agenda while exposing Yemen and its people to greater danger. We reaffirm the government’s serious commitment to resuming commercial flights from Sana’a Airport in order to alleviate the suffering of our people and end the restrictions imposed upon them by the Houthi militias.

The Houthi terrorist militias hold direct responsibility for this escalation and all of its consequences, having chosen to reject every initiative, deliberately violate state sovereignty, and undermine prospects for peace. The Iranian regime also holds full responsibility for continuing to support and enable these practices in violation of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.

I direct the government, the armed forces and the security services to maintain the highest level of readiness and vigilance. I also instruct them to take all necessary political, diplomatic and legal measures, together with all legitimate actions permitted under the Constitution and international law, to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and protect its airspace and all of its land, sea and air ports of entry. These measures are intended to prevent any recurrence of such violations at any airport or seaport across the country.

At this critical moment, I call for an emergency meeting of the Presidential Leadership Council to review the latest developments and assess the situation at all levels. The meeting will also adopt the measures necessary to strengthen the readiness of state institutions, coordinate their efforts, and ensure the full implementation of the decisions and directives issued. These measures are intended to preserve the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen, protect the interests of our people, and enable state institutions to fulfill their national responsibilities during this critical stage in our nation’s history.

I also renew my call on the international community, foremost among them the United Nations Security Council, to move beyond condemnation to deterrence by enforcing the resolutions of international legitimacy, particularly those relating to the arms embargo and sanctions regime. Such action is essential to ensure respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and put an end to the repeated violations threatening regional and international peace and security.

I have full confidence in the awareness of our great people, the courage of our armed forces and security services, and the ability of our national institutions to protect the Republic, restore state institutions, consolidate security and stability, and ultimately achieve the just and lasting peace that our people deserve.

Long live Yemen, free and proud.

May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi

President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces