Yemeni leader calls for public enlistment and offers amnesty to Houthi defectors

Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s governing body, has called on citizens to mobilize and join the Saudi-backed armed forces to counter advances made by the Houthis towards the Bab al-Mandeb strait. In his first speech since the government forces lost ground on the western Red Sea coast, Al-Alimi pledged amnesty for any Houthi fighter who defects to government forces. "I call on the sons of our great people to engage in a general mobilisation and national mobilisation to rally around their armed and security forces, join their ranks through official channels, and contribute each from their respective position in whatever way they can," he stated in a recorded address. Al-Alimi emphasized the government's goal to restore control over Sana’a, the capital, which has been under Houthi control since 2014. His speech coincided with the 64th anniversary of the military coup that ousted the monarchy in northern Yemen, which led to the ongoing civil war. "Our objective is clear to everyone both at home and abroad: to restore state institutions and exercise their sovereignty over the entire country, including Sana’a," he added. Additionally, the military chiefs of staff from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan met on Friday to discuss the trilateral defense agreement, the Mecca Pact, in light of the Houthis' continued attacks on Saudi Arabia. Al-Alimi stated that the amnesty is effective immediately for those who leave the Houthi group, contingent upon adherence to constitutional and legal procedures. On the same day, the Saudi-led coalition reported that its air defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Khamis Mushait and two drones targeting Riyadh, launched by the Houthis.