The Recent visit of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council’s head, Rashad Al-Alimi, to Marib has infuriated the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group that threatened that the fallout of any provocation will affect Yemen and the entire region.
With this move, political and military tensions have risen afresh, risking the resumption of Yemen’s civil war. Al-Alimi outspokenly displayed the Yemeni government’s intention to drive the Houthis out of Sanaa and other territories, but the Houthis say such attempts will be doomed to failure.
Speaking in an official meeting in Sanaa yesterday, Mahdi Al-Mashat, the head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, warned against any escalation, saying, “The repercussions of any escalation will not stop at the borders of Yemen, nor will it undermine … the steadfastness of the Yemeni people, and the valor of the armed forces at all levels.”
He also urged Saudi Arabia to “move from the de-escalation to the peace entitlements” based on the map Sanaa and Riyadh reached.
The 26 September website, which is affiliated with the Houthi armed forces, ran a report yesterday indicating that there is a plan for igniting the war and Al-Alimi’s visit to Marib is proof of the “enemies’ intention” to resume the war.
The report added, “Al-Alimi’s visits to Marib confirm the intentions of igniting the war. Al-Alimi deliberately visited the Aviation College in Marib and inspected the armed [forces]. The message is “military” and not developmental.”
According to the report, the U.S. has developed a plan for anti-Houthi local forces to stir up the situation on the front lines in Yemen.
A powerful quote Al-Alimi said in a speech in Marib was, “We assure you that we will start from here [Marib] and from other government-controlled provinces to liberate the areas that are still under the [Houthi] control.”
However, the Houthis show confidence in their military capabilities. Member of the Supreme Political Council, Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, said yesterday the stockpile of Houthi weapons is massive, warning opponents: Don’t play with fire. His statement came on the heels of Al-Alimi’s visit to Marib.
Yemeni political observers say the arrival of Al-Alimi in Marib will strengthen the unification of the tribal ranks and offer support to the military forces on the frontlines in Marib.
According to the observers, the latest moves of the Yemeni government indicate its preparedness to begin a military battle against the Houthi group, and the likelihood of a war scenario is stronger than a peace scenario.