Yemeni presidential council member: Our goal is to retake Sanaa from Houthis

Sultan Al-Arada, a member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, has stated that the primary objective of the Yemeni armed forces is to reclaim the capital, Sanaa, and eliminate Houthi control. During a televised interview on Sunday, Al-Arada assured Yemenis that the days ahead would bring developments that would bring them reassurance, following the Houthis' disruption of the path to peace and the resumption of hostilities.

He explained that recent battles on the western coastfront were part of the cyclical nature of the conflict and that their disengaged forces were being reorganized in alignment with military leadership in readiness to rejoin the frontlines. Al-Arada also highlighted that Marib province had received both military personnel and displaced civilians from coastal regions, and had provided necessary arrangements for their shelter.

He commended the assistance of Arab allies, especially Saudi Arabia, who have supported the Yemeni people across various aspects and endorsed the constitutional legitimacy of the Yemeni government. In a message to families residing in Houthi-controlled regions, Al-Arada appealed to them to safeguard their children and refrain from enlisting them in the militias, warning of the perils of perpetuating young individuals into combat.

He emphasized that the current stage necessitated all Yemenis to shoulder their national obligations and contribute to the restoration of the state and the cessation of the coup, thereby alleviating the population's suffering and opening the door to a secure and stable Yemen. It is pertinent to note that the extensive Houthi offensive initiated last week has resulted in the displacement of approximately 86,000 individuals, with over 82,000 forced from their homes since early September, as reported by a United Nations agency.