Yemen remains entrenched in a protracted conflict that escalated significantly in 2014 after the Houthi movement seized the capital, Sanaa. While a UN-brokered truce had maintained relatively calm front lines since April 2022, military tensions have surged in recent days amid renewed strikes and a stalled diplomatic landscape.
Amid these developments, Sultan Al-Aradah criticized the Houthi group for its stance on regional stability. He accused the movement of deliberately rejecting international and regional peace initiatives while prolonging the suffering of Yemeni civilians living under their control.
Al-Aradah characterized the ongoing battle against the Houthis as "decisive" and called for an immediate increase in combat readiness. He further urged the strengthening of both defensive and operational capabilities across all military and security units.
Escalating Military Activity
Recent tactical shifts include an expanded military meeting in Marib. The session was attended by Defense Minister Taher Al-Aqili, the Chief of Staff, Joint Operations Commander Sagheer bin Aziz, and Brig. Gen. Fares Al-Shammari, who leads the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces in the province.
The meeting reviewed field developments, combat readiness, and the execution of operational plans across various fronts. Simultaneously, airstrikes of unspecified origin targeted Houthi positions, including weapons depots, Katyusha sites, and missile launchers in Al-Jubah (Marib) as well as Al-Safra and Majzar (Al-Jawf).
Maritime and Regional Impact
The Houthi movement has also asserted a maritime navigation ban targeting Saudi Arabia. The group claimed responsibility for various strikes against vessels linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.
There has been no immediate comment from Houthi representatives regarding the specific remarks made by Sultan Al-Aradah.