Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri said the country’s armed forces and all military formations are at a high state of readiness to respond firmly to any attacks or provocations by the Iran-aligned Houthi militias.
In the first remarks from a senior Yemeni military official following US strikes, al-Daeri said the Houthis bear full responsibility for the recent escalation, the imposition of international sanctions, and the militarization of regional waters, which have worsened the humanitarian and economic situation for Yemenis.
Al-Daeri warned the Houthis that all military formations under the Presidential Leadership Council are operating in close coordination and stand united against any escalation by the group.
The warning comes after the US launched a large-scale military campaign on March 15 targeting Houthi sites and leaders in response to their continued attacks on commercial shipping and international navigation in the Red Sea.
“Our brave armed forces and all military units under the Presidential Leadership Council are at a high level of readiness to respond firmly to any attacks or reckless actions by the Houthi militia,” al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“There is strong coordination among all these forces through the Joint Operations Command, which includes representatives from each formation, ensuring a unified front against any escalation by the terrorist Houthi militias,” he added.
The minister also said the Iran-aligned Houthis have rejected all peace initiatives and opted for destructive escalation, harming Yemeni lives and threatening international security by targeting global shipping routes.
“Despite the Presidential Leadership Council and the government making concessions to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people and responding to peace efforts led by Saudi Arabia and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, the Houthi militias have remained defiant,” he said.
“They have dismissed these initiatives and escalated their attacks, targeting livelihoods, oil infrastructure, and extending their terrorism to international waters, disrupting global trade and security,” added al-Daeri.
