Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, emphasized a fundamental truth in the context of the conflicts plaguing the region, stressing that supporting armed militias and outlaw groups cannot be a means of combating terrorism; rather, it is a recipe for its resurgence in more dangerous and complex forms. Al-Alimi pointed out that relying on entities parallel to the state weakens national institutions and creates a fertile ground for the growth of extremism.
The danger of militias to the concept of the nation-state
Al-Alimi's statements come at a sensitive time for Yemen and the Arab region, as historical and political experiences over the past decade have demonstrated that the absence of a strong and unified national state is the primary cause of widespread chaos. Militias, regardless of their slogans, remain sectarian or regional entities that do not believe in the concept of equal citizenship. This pushes other segments of society toward extremism as a reaction, thus creating a vicious cycle of violence and counter-violence that fuels terrorism instead of eradicating it.
The Yemeni context and the impact of the coup
In the Yemeni context, the Houthi militia's coup against the state and its takeover of state institutions have not led to stability, but rather have transformed the country into an open arena for regional and international conflicts. The erosion of official army and security institutions in favor of militia formations has undermined the infrastructure of Yemeni national security, leaving the country vulnerable to escalating security threats, including the activity of terrorist organizations that find safe havens in the security vacuum.
Regional and international dimensions
The impact of supporting militias is not limited to Yemen; it extends to pose a direct threat to international peace and security. Militias operating outside the framework of international law disregard agreements and treaties, thus endangering international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as evidenced by recent tensions. Therefore, observers believe the international community is now more obligated than ever to support the Presidential Leadership Council and the legitimate government, enabling them to extend their authority, as they are the only entities legally and constitutionally authorized to possess force and enforce the law.
The only way to stability
Al-Alimi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the only way to dry up the sources of terrorism begins with restoring the state and its authority, and unifying military and security decision-making under the umbrella of official institutions. Building a professional national army and strong security services is the only guarantee for protecting rights and freedoms, and for preventing any attempts to use terrorism as a pretext to legitimize the existence of militias or to perpetuate senseless wars for which ordinary citizens pay the price.
