[18/07/2026 03:13]

RIYADH - SABA
President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, said Saturday that the Yemeni state will not allow any flights to operate outside state authority, stressing that the Houthi militia has no option but to accept announced humanitarian alternatives.

The remarks came during a meeting President al-Alimi held with Yemen’s ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions abroad, in the presence of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaya Zindani.

President al-Alimi expressed his appreciation, along with members of the Presidential Leadership Council and the government, for the efforts of the Foreign Ministry and Yemeni diplomatic missions in representing the state, serving Yemeni citizens abroad, and protecting national interests amid the country’s difficult circumstances.

He said the responsibility of diplomatic missions at this critical stage goes beyond traditional representation, making them an essential part of defending the Yemeni republic, its sovereignty, and its legitimate institutions.

The President noted that recent developments have shown that national battles are no longer fought only on the ground, but also in international capitals, organizations, media platforms, advocacy groups, and decision-making centers.

“Therefore, the success of any military or political battle is now also linked to our ability to secure international support, reinforce the national narrative, and protect the truth from disinformation campaigns,” he said.

President al-Alimi reviewed the measures taken by the state in recent days to address the latest Houthi escalation through political, diplomatic, and military means, with the aim of deterring reckless attempts to impose agendas unrelated to the interests of the Yemeni people.

He said the government had succeeded so far in shifting the international understanding of the issue from being portrayed as merely an attempt to operate a humanitarian flight into recognizing it as a matter affecting the sovereignty of a UN member state and a real test of the international community’s commitment to respecting its own rules and enforcing its resolutions.

President al-Alimi said the Yemeni government had seen growing understanding from many brotherly and friendly countries, adding that this support should be built upon in the coming period to strengthen backing for the government and the Yemeni people’s aspirations for security, stability, and peace.

He outlined the priorities for Yemeni diplomatic missions in the next phase, including efforts to further increase international pressure on the Houthi militia, uphold Yemen’s sovereignty and legal standing, while ensuring that the interests and humanitarian priorities of the Yemeni people are not harmed.

The President affirmed that restoring state institutions remains the only path toward achieving lasting peace, stressing that the government’s welcome for humanitarian efforts, including the recent Jordanian initiative, reflects its commitment and openness to all initiatives aimed at alleviating citizens’ suffering.

“However, the state will not allow any flights outside state authority. The Houthis have no option but to accept these alternatives and put the interests of the Yemeni people above their narrow interests,” he said.

President al-Alimi directed Yemeni diplomatic missions to continue countering misleading Houthi narratives through facts, evidence, and international law, away from emotional rhetoric, while highlighting the militia’s grave human rights violations and its approach based on promoting discrimination and undermining the foundations of a state built on justice, rule of law, and equal citizenship.

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