Yemen’s cabinet on Thursday adopted executive measures and guidelines to turn the requirements of general mobilisation into work programmes and raise the readiness of state institutions, amid escalating fighting in the governorates of Taiz and Lahj. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting in Aden chaired by Prime Minister Shaea al-Zindani.
Government adopts executive programmes for general mobilisation
The cabinet approved a package of measures aimed at mobilising national resources and capabilities, while strengthening institutional, military, security, economic and humanitarian readiness. It said implementing the general mobilisation decision required state institutions to double their efforts and increase coordination between ministries, local authorities and the military and security services.
The cabinet said the measures were intended to enable the government to protect citizens, restore state institutions and extend its authority across the country. The meeting examined the roles required of state institutions amid the military and security developments on various fronts.
Al-Zindani said the armed forces, resistance and tribes were engaged in a confrontation with the Houthis, while the government was responsible for consolidating state institutions, protecting the economy and securing services and citizens’ lives. He stressed that his government would continue its field work alongside performing its institutional duties. The prime minister added: "This is a trenches government present in the field," stressing that government offices would not become a barrier separating the government from citizens or from forces stationed on the fronts.
Measures to secure markets, salaries and services
The cabinet discussed economic, financial and service-related measures aimed at maintaining market stability and securing essential goods, as well as ensuring the regular payment of salaries and meeting government obligations. It also examined strengthening the readiness of the health and service sectors and taking urgent measures to address the electricity issue.
The cabinet directed the government and local authorities to raise their level of preparedness to deal with any humanitarian consequences that may result from the escalation. The measures include receiving and sheltering displaced people and providing them with healthcare and food assistance, in coordination with international organisations and partners working in the humanitarian field.
Military escalation in Taiz and advance towards Lahj
The meeting reviewed military and security developments on various fronts, including the escalation in Taiz governorate and attempts to advance towards areas in Lahj governorate, according to a statement issued after the meeting. Al-Zindani said it was a mistake to treat the conflict as a confrontation concerning one Yemeni region but not another.
He said the Houthis did not distinguish between governorates in their targeting, accusing the group of refusing to recognise political pluralism or Yemenis’ right to choose their future. The prime minister stressed that restoring state authority across all Yemeni territory was not aimed at eliminating any party or confiscating any cause. He added that the goal, as he put it, was to ensure the establishment of a safe and stable state whose political choices stemmed from the will of Yemenis.
Al-Zindani said the developments under way along the western coast and towards Bab al-Mandab went beyond the scope of the Yemeni conflict. He said they threatened international shipping, trade and the security of supply lines, and accused Iran of supporting the Houthis and strengthening their military capabilities. The cabinet praised the Saudi support provided to the Yemeni government, noting Saudi Arabia’s reaffirmation of its backing for the government’s efforts to extend its authority across the country and restore stability.
The cabinet welcomed the deposit of $60 million with the Central Bank of Yemen, representing part of the third instalment of Saudi support for the state budget. It said the funding would help the government meet its obligations, maintain the regular operation of state institutions and ensure the continuation of their services.
