Aden, 4 December 2021 (TDI): With the coverage of Al Jazeera, Ahmed BinMubarak began the interview by showing the government’s firm stance on the Houthi attacks in Yemen. He claimed that the ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis in Marib, which killed more than 29 civilians, thwarted all peace initiatives.
Due to this situation, the Yemeni Minister is convinced that Al-Houthi would not accept peace. Instead, he would continue to prolong the conflict until his ideological project within Yemeni society has concluded.
Yemeni government’s position
He clarified the Yemeni government’s position about the political settlement from the insurgent group as “illogical” considering their illegitimacy. He firmly expressed that the official Yemeni government has been internationally recognized and was created on a consensual basis. Therefore, it is present in all liberated areas in Yemen and considered a formal party. In addition, despite the criticism about legitimacy, the official highlighted how the military leaders of the government carry out their functions even sacrificing their lives.
On the other hand, the Yemeni Minister told Al Jazeera that the government statement regarding the withdrawal of the government-affiliated forces was no more than a technical clarification. In other words, the government tried to clarify that the Yemeni team members working with the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) were not aware of the withdrawals in Hudaydah. In consequence, according to the UN OCHA, around 13,500 civilians were displaced from their homes.
Nonetheless, the Joint Forces explained the strategic perspective behind the withdrawal. They mentioned that it “eliminated the vulnerable position of the Joint Forces along with the narrow coastal plain and supplied the lines that they have maintained for the last three years.” To which, the Yemeni minister said in the interview that the decision of those with the military and logistical capacity and the right to carry out the withdrawal ended up benefiting the Houthis.
Finally, Ahmed BinMubarak is convinced that history in Marib of 2015 will repeat itself, and the 4 million Yemenis in the area will be able to repel attacks by the Houthis. He said: “Marib will be the rock on which the dreams and ambitions of the Houthi militia will be crushed.” Meanwhile, he added that the government’s main priority is to unify efforts internally and with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to confront the Houthi project.
