AL-MUKALLA: The chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, has urged the Iran-backed Houthis to lay down their arms and become a political party, saying the internationally recognized government seeks permanent peace rather than another temporary truce as the militia continues drone and missile attacks on government-controlled areas.
Speaking to a gathering of editors from local media outlets, Al-Alimi said the PLC had unified previously divided military and security forces under a single command and vowed to respond to the latest Houthi escalation.
“The opportunity is still available to lay down arms, engage in political life, and compete through the ballot box on an equal footing with all other Yemenis,” Al-Alimi said, describing his appeal as a “final message” to the Houthis.
He said the PLC, established in April 2022, was more unified and stronger than at any point since its formation, having overcome differences that had hampered efforts to bring anti-Houthi military and security forces under a unified command.
“We have unified political, military, security and economic decision-making. Today, we can say that there are Yemeni armed forces operating under a single command center and a supreme commander of the armed forces. … These forces are ready to fulfill their role in defending Yemen.”
