Major General Tarek Saleh, a member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and commander of the National Resistance, has asserted that confronting the Houthi militia in Hodeidah, Tihama, and the West Coast represents a multifaceted national battle. He emphasized that its resolution requires unified political, social, and military stances against the group, not solely military action.
Speaking during a virtual meeting with local authority leaders in Hodeidah province, along with social figures, scholars, and youth, Tarek Saleh stated that forces deployed across the West Coast are at a heightened level of readiness, noting that recent developments have demonstrated their capability for coordination and unified action.
He characterized Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi as a "war criminal," holding him responsible for Yemeni casualties and for driving thousands to the front lines. Saleh argued that the Houthi group exploits Yemenis to advance an agenda detrimental to their own interests. He highlighted Hodeidah and the West Coast as pivotal to the confrontation, particularly citing the group's alleged exploitation of ports and maritime access to import weapons and enhance its missile and drone capabilities.
Saleh criticized the Stockholm Agreement, asserting it provided the Houthis an opportunity to consolidate their presence in Hodeidah and subsequently use its port to acquire military equipment. He warned that the Houthis' continued ability to launch missiles and drones poses a threat to international navigation, and that ongoing smuggling through maritime routes endangers Yemen, regional nations, and the international community.
Addressing the plight of Tihama residents under Houthi control, Saleh accused the group of repression, extortion, and looting. He urged local and tribal leaders, scholars, and state employees to resist Houthi coercion. He also called on Hodeidah's populace to shield children from recruitment and urged a focus on education and safeguarding the younger generation from the war's impact. Saleh noted civilian losses, including farmers and a child killed in attacks east of Khokha, as well as damage to the livelihoods of fishermen, traders, and port workers.
On the political and military front, Tarek Saleh appealed to various factions to set aside differences and unite against the Houthis, stating that cohesive fronts have thwarted the group's attempts to exploit divisions. He also cautioned against leaking military information and sensitive operational details, entrusting the dissemination of data and outcomes to authorized military bodies. Furthermore, he warned against any collaboration with the Houthis in reconnaissance, identifying troop locations, or relaying coordinates, deeming such activities direct threats to both forces and civilians.
Concluding his remarks, Saleh affirmed that unity and readiness are the path to reclaiming Houthi-controlled territories, expressing optimism for an imminent victory. This sentiment underscored the continued strategic importance of the coastal front within the broader campaign against the Houthi movement.
