[13/07/2026 12:06]

ADEN – SABA
The Statement by His Excellency President of the Presidential Leadership Council, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces
Our Great Yemeni people, Brave members of our Armed Forces and Security Services,

Further to the statement issued by the Presidential Leadership Council on 10 July 2026, which contained clear warnings regarding the repeated violations of Yemen’s sovereignty and outlined responsible initiatives aimed at sparing our country and people further escalation, the developments witnessed today confirm that the Houthi terrorist militias continue to pursue a course of action designed to undermine every opportunity for de-escalation and reject all initiatives intended to safeguard the interests of citizens and preserve Yemen’s security and stability.

Despite intensive efforts by our brothers and friends, as well as mediation initiatives and good offices aimed at containing the situation, the Houthi militias insisted on receiving another Iranian flight outside the legal and sovereign frameworks governing civil aviation.

This deliberate act demonstrates blatant disregard for state institutions and an explicit rejection of all efforts to prevent Yemen from sliding into further escalation.

What makes this conduct even more serious is that the the Government has consistently demonstrated, and continues to demonstrate, its readiness to resume civilian flights through Yemenia Airways, the national carrier legally authorized to operate flights to and from Sana’a International Airport.

The Government has also expressed its willingness to facilitate the transportation of Houthi militia personnel from Tehran to Sana’a aboard an aircraft chartered by Yemenia Airways.

This proposal would have protected the interests of Yemeni citizens, ensured the continued operation of the airport, and, at the same time, upheld the sovereignty of Yemen and its obligations under international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The Houthi militias, however, rejected all of these initiatives and insisted on imposing a fait accompli outside the framework of state institutions.

This once again confirms that their objective has never been to serve the interests of citizens or alleviate their suffering, but rather to entrench division, undermine state institutions, drag Yemen into a broader conflict, and exploit civilians and national resources in pursuit of agendas that bear no relation to the interests of the Yemeni people.

The support provided by the Iranian regime for these actions, and the continued use of internationally sanctioned entities and companies to facilitate these violations, does not alter the fact that direct responsibility for this escalation rests with the Houthi militias, which have deliberately chosen to reject peace, renounce responsible initiatives, and continue violating Yemen’s sovereignty and the legitimacy established under international law.

In accordance with our constitutional responsibilities, the State of Yemen reaffirms that protecting its sovereignty, airspace, and land, maritime, and air borders is a national and constitutional duty that admits no compromise under any circumstances.

Accordingly, we direct the Government, the Armed Forces, and the Security Services to maintain the highest levels of readiness and vigilance, and to take all necessary political, diplomatic, and legal measures, as well as every legitimate action permitted under the Constitution and international law, to safeguard national sovereignty, prevent the recurrence of such violations, and protect the security and safety of citizens.

We hold the Houthi terrorist militias fully responsible for this escalation and for all consequences that may affect Yemen’s security and stability.

We further affirm that those who support and enable these actions likewise bear their legal and political responsibility for the continuation of these violations and for undermining the prospects for peace.

We also renew our call to the international community to move beyond condemnation and toward effective deterrence by enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 2140 and 2216, and by implementing the sanctions regime with firmness in order to uphold the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and prevent these repeated violations from becoming an accepted reality that threatens regional and international peace and security.

My fellow Yemeni people,

Throughout every stage of this crisis, the State has consistently demonstrated the greatest commitment to international law, the strongest dedication to peace, and the deepest concern for protecting civilians and alleviating their suffering.

It will remain steadfast in this approach.

At the same time, however, it will never allow its commitment to peace to become a pretext for compromising its sovereignty or a means of imposing faits accomplis by force outside its legitimate institutions.

We have full confidence in the awareness of our great people, the courage of our Armed Forces and Security Services, the support of our brothers and friends, and the ability of our national institutions to overcome these challenges, strengthen national unity, restore state institutions, achieve security and stability, and ultimately realize the just and lasting peace that our people deserve.

Dr. Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

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