Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi issued a presidential decree to form the “National Shield Forces,” a military force under his direct command.
The decree is part of efforts, carried out by the higher military and security commission, to restructure the many military formations in Yemen and bring them under the Defense Ministry.
The National Shield Forces will act as a reserve force that answers to the commander of the armed forces, al-Alimi.
Al-Alimi will determine the number of the members of the force, its duties and area of operations.
Al-Alimi had returned to the Yemeni interim capital Aden from Riyadh. He has been away from Aden for nearly 50 days.
In official statements, he underscored the keenness of the PLC and government in committing to their pledges to the Yemeni people.
The pledges include working from inside Yemen, rebuilding state institutions, improving living and economic conditions and consolidating Yemen’s standing in its regional and international surroundings.
Al-Alimi said the new year will witness the laying of the foundation stone of several service and development projects with the support of the Arab coalition that is led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
He expressed his gratitude to the coalition and donor countries that “constantly respond” to Yemen’s appeals to ease the humanitarian suffering of its people.
He blamed the dire humanitarian crisis on the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militias.
