Yemen decries Houthis as 'terrorist militia,' calls on citizens to join Yemeni armed forces

Yemen’s Presidential Council chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, called on the Yemeni people to mobilize and join Yemen’s armed forces to combat the Iran-backed Houthis in a speech on Friday.

“I call upon the sons of our great people to engage in general mobilization and national mobilization, to rally around their armed and security forces, to join their ranks through official channels, and to contribute in every way possible,” Alimi stated, calling for the Yemeni people to “rid [the] country of the terrorist Houthi militia.”

He decried the recent uptick in Houthi attacks as a “dangerous escalation” caused by the terrorist group choosing to act with force and weapons instead of pursuing dialogue and peace.

Alimi added that the goal of Yemen’s armed forces is to regain territory controlled by the Houthis and restore safety and security in the region.

He also thanked Saudi Arabia for its backing of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen and support in efforts to combat the Houthis, reaffirming Yemen’s commitment to continued cooperation with the Saudis.

Alimi additionally said that any Houthi terrorists who defect from the group and stop fighting will receive full amnesty, starting on September 26.