Head of Yemen Reconciliation Commission to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Peace, Stability

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
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Head of Yemen Reconciliation Commission to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Peace, Stability

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission of the Yemen Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Mohammed al-Ghaithi revealed that the body will work on preserving the unity of all forces and political powers.

In his first remarks to the media since his appointment, he told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PLC will rely on the commission in carrying out its duties and tasks.

The PLC is keen on the participation of all sides in consultations and decision-making.

The people are hoping for real change, summed up by the liberation of the North and stability in southern provinces, binging an end to Iran's agenda in Yemen and protecting the security and peace of the region and its future, he stressed.

Moreover, he noted that even though the Iran-backed Houthi militias receive their orders from Tehran, the PLC is seeking real peace.

Ghaithi warned that if the militias choose to return to war, then they will be faced with a conflict unlike what they have seen before.

The current stage demanded that all anti-Houthi forces stand united, meaning the commission must maintain the stances of the joint forces and political groups that make them up.

This is very important, he stressed, especially since "we have shared goals in achieving peace and confronting Houthi intransigence. No one can dispute this. We all need the cooperation of all forces to stabilize the economy and achieve internal security, unite media political discourse and effectively activate state institutions."

He explained that the members and chairman of the PLC were chosen through consensus, which "gives us hope that consensus would mark this very critical phase in Yemen."

"Even though I am a member of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which I am very proud of, today I am representing the expectations and views of all parties," he stated.

"I will be keen on consensus and rapprochement at all times," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Furthermore, Ghaithi said consensus does not eliminate various security, political, economic and social priorities.

For example, he explained that the case of the people of the South does not contradict the need to stand united in confronting the Houthis or reforming the economy. The southerners will determine their political future through their own will and this applies to all other parties.

The PLC is keen on the participation of all sides in the consultations and decision-making, he added. "This is an extraordinary phase and I am very optimistic."

The people have high expectations from the PLC and "we are responsible before God and history," he remarked. "The changes must be collectively introduce."

"I am speaking here of real change that can be felt by the people. This includes the liberation of the northern provinces, defeating Iran, protecting the security and future of the region and respecting the will of the people, without exception, in the South and the North," stated Ghaithi.

Turning to Saudi Arabia, he described Riyadh as a "peacemaker". The Yemeni people flocked to Riyadh for the consultations earlier this month and they returned from it united.

As a member of the STC, he stressed that "we are always keen on success and supporting the efforts of our brothers in Saudi Arabia. This is a firm principle in our policy and stances," he added.

"The Riyadh consultations have met our previous demands and it indeed reformed the presidency, tackled the economy and granted us real partnership in decision-making," he stated. "It confirmed the need for the South to decide its fate."

"Peace is our only option and the only option of our brothers in the region," he continued.

"If the Houthis decide to go back to their stalling and intransigence and reject peace, if they choose war, then the conflict will differ from its predecessors and the militias will pay a heavy price for such irrational actions," he warned.



Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemen’s Defense Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri, does not expect Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to stop even if the Gaza war ends. He also warns of rising tensions in the region, which could lead to a major conflict.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Daeri affirmed close coordination between Yemeni forces and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition. He praised Saudi Arabia’s key role in the coalition, highlighting its continuous support for Yemen.

Al-Daeri said there has been significant progress in unifying government-aligned military forces, with committees set up by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) establishing a joint operations authority.

Despite challenges, he remains optimistic that these efforts will help unify the military command against the common enemy — Yemen’s Houthi militias.

Al-Daeri warned that Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea are a serious threat to Yemen and the region. He noted that the Houthis are using these attacks to distract from their internal problems and are trying to capitalize on Yemeni sympathy for Palestine by claiming support for Gaza.

He added that the Houthis are unlikely to stop targeting international shipping, even if the Gaza war ends, and are constantly seeking new alliances with terrorist groups to strengthen their position.

Al-Daeri, accused Iran of fueling instability in Yemen by supporting Houthi militias for years, smuggling weapons and military experts to spread chaos without regard for regional stability.

On US relations, Al-Daeri said ties are good but military cooperation remains limited. He noted that US military aid, suspended in 2014, has not yet returned to previous levels.

Al-Daeri said his visit to Saudi Arabia was part of ongoing coordination with the Joint Operations Command and the Saudi Ministry of Defense to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

During his “productive” visit, Al-Daeri met with several military leaders, congratulated the new commander of the Joint Operations, Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Salman, and held talks with officials from the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.

Al-Daeri emphasized the strong defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly during Yemen’s war in recent years.

He noted that the high level of coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Arab Coalition members has significantly improved regional military readiness.

Al-Daeri said relations with Saudi Arabia are growing stronger, with both countries working closely together to fulfill their missions in the region.

He described defense cooperation as being at its peak, praising Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Arab Coalition.

“Saudi Arabia has always provided full support—military, financial, and moral. As the region’s strongest power, they have supported Yemen not just with resources, but also with strategic expertise and by fighting alongside us, even sacrificing their lives for our cause,” Al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Houthi militias have taken advantage of the ceasefire and the Saudi-led initiative, which later became a UN effort, to conduct hostile activities and assert their presence.

He referred to the Houthis’ actions as creating a “massive prison” for millions of Yemenis who do not want to live in their controlled areas.

Al-Daeri, described the situation in the region as dangerous, pointing to recent events in Gaza and Lebanon as signs of increasing tensions. He warned of the risk of an unprecedented regional war due to the rising violence and conflicts.

“What is happening is very alarming, especially with the recent events, including terrorist militias in Yemen, the unacceptable violence in Gaza over the past year, and the situation in southern Lebanon. This all signals the risk of an unusual war,” said al-Daeri.

Regarding potential outcomes, al-Daeri noted that Yemeni forces are ready for both war and peace. He acknowledged significant efforts to achieve peace but warned that renewed conflict could occur at any moment. He also pointed out ongoing provocations from Houthis, which continue to lead to casualties.

"We are ready for all options and have comprehensive strategic plans for deploying our forces. The past two years have seen a ceasefire, and the Arab Coalition is making significant efforts to achieve peace rather than resorting to war. However, this does not mean that conflict won’t resume; it could restart at any time,” explained al-Daeri.

“Despite the ceasefire and the presence of our forces, the legitimate troops have not fired back, yet the militias provoke us daily, resulting in casualties,” he added.

“Patience is a key quality of the legitimate authority in Yemen, led by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and his colleagues in the Presidential Leadership Council. This patience reflects our readiness for the moment of truth, whether for peace or war—we are prepared,” asserted al-Daeri.