Rashad Al-Alimi asserts: There can be no lasting peace without ending the Houthi-Iranian project
In his recent statements, Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen, reaffirmed the legitimate government's unwavering stance on the Yemeni crisis, emphasizing that achieving lasting peace in Yemen begins with a fundamental and essential step: ending the Houthi-Iranian project. These statements come amidst intensive regional and international efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement that will end years of bloody conflict that have burdened the Yemeni people.
General context and historical background of the Yemeni crisis
The roots of the current crisis can be traced back to late 2014, when the Houthi militia staged an armed coup against the legitimate government, seizing control of the capital, Sana'a, and state institutions by force. This military action was not isolated; it was carried out with clear support from the Iranian regime, which sought to establish a foothold in the Arabian Peninsula. Since then, Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating war, leading to the intervention of the Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, at the request of the then-Yemeni president, to save the country from Iranian expansion.
Over the past years, the United Nations has sponsored numerous rounds of negotiations and consultations, but Houthi intransigence, backed by military and political support from Tehran, has consistently been the stumbling block to any real progress toward peace. Hence, Al-Alimi emphasizes that treating the symptoms without addressing the root causes will only postpone the conflict, not resolve it.
Dimensions and dangers of the Houthi-Iranian project
The Houthi-Iranian project relies on exporting the Iranian revolution and establishing armed entities parallel to the state, similar to other regional experiences. Tehran supplies the Houthi militias with sophisticated weaponry, including drones and ballistic missiles, as well as training and funding. The Presidential Leadership Council believes that the continuation of this project poses an existential threat to Yemen's national identity, social fabric, and constitutional institutions.
The expected impact of ending the coup and achieving peace
Al-Alimi's vision for ending this project has extremely important implications on three levels:
- At the local level: Ending the Houthi coup and restoring the state will put an end to the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to UN classifications. It will also pave the way for reconstruction, the return of displaced persons, and the building of a federal, democratic Yemen that respects human rights and guarantees equality for all its citizens.
- At the regional level, ending Iranian influence in Yemen is a fundamental guarantee for the security and stability of neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, which have repeatedly been subjected to cross-border attacks. The stability of Yemen is an integral part of the Arab national security system.
- At the international level, Yemen holds significant geopolitical importance due to its control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. Recent events, including Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes, have demonstrated that the continued presence of these militias poses a direct threat to global trade and energy security. Therefore, restoring Yemeni sovereignty is a paramount international interest.
Conclusion: The three references as a basis for the solution
In conclusion, the Yemeni leadership, represented by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, reiterates its full commitment to the option of a just and comprehensive peace, but a peace based on the three agreed-upon local, regional, and international references: the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216. Any settlement that ignores these references or legitimizes the existence of armed militias outside the framework of the state will only bring more destruction and will not achieve the sustainable peace that the Yemeni people and the international community alike seek.
