Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi called on the nation to mobilize against Houthi rebels controlling the capital of Sana’a and offered a formal pardon to any insurgents who abandon the militia, according to a Reuters report published on Sept. 25, 2026. The decree follows a renewed military offensive by the Iran-backed group that has seized nearly the entire Red Sea coastline, captured territory near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, and launched direct attacks against neighboring Saudi Arabia.
Military Mobilization and the Offer of Pardon
The government currently operates from its temporary base in the southern port city of Aden, far from its historical seat of power in Sana’a, which fell to the rebels in the early stages of the conflict.
Regional Defense Talks in Riyadh
The escalating Houthi campaign prompted a high-level emergency meeting in Riyadh on Sept. 25, 2026, bringing together the chiefs of general staff of Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The talks followed an initial discussion between representatives of the three nations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. While Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement in Mecca last month committing to joint assistance in the event of an attack, neither Turkish nor Pakistani forces have engaged the Yemeni rebels militarily as of yet, based on reporting from CTK.
Did you know? The Houthi movement seized control of Yemen’s northwest, including the capital Sana’a, when the civil war erupted in 2014, and has since expanded its territorial reach to encompass almost the entire Yemeni coastline along the Red Sea.
Cross-Border Strikes and Maritime Blockade
The recent offensive has directly threatened regional stability and international trade routes. After securing the Red Sea littoral this month, the insurgents established control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, imperiling vital commercial shipping lanes. The Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the rebels declared a blockade on Saudi ports and executed attacks against the Saudi capital of Riyadh for the first time in years, retaliating against the kingdom's military backing of the Yemeni government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who called for mobilization against the Houthi rebels?
Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, issued the call for national mobilization alongside an offer of pardon for defectors.
Why did military chiefs from Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia meet in Riyadh?
The military leaders gathered in response to the intensified Houthi offensive, which included new attacks on Saudi Arabia and the blockade of Saudi ports following the rebels’ capture of the Red Sea coastline.
Where is the internationally recognized Yemeni government currently based?
The government operates primarily out of Aden in southern Yemen, following the 2014 takeover of the capital, Sana’a, by Houthi forces.
Have Turkish or Pakistani troops entered the conflict in Yemen?
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