Al-Alimi warns against imposing a fait accompli and politicizing the fight against terrorism

Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, warned of the dangers of continuing attempts to impose a fait accompli in liberated areas, stressing that such practices pose an existential threat to the Yemeni state and hinder efforts to restore national institutions. Al-Alimi's statements aimed to put an end to the ongoing debate surrounding the use of security files as tools in political conflict, emphasizing that the war on terror is a national and international obligation and should not be exploited as a pretext for achieving narrow political gains or settling scores between rival factions.

Threat to national unity and state institutions

Al-Alimi pointed out that the Yemeni state is going through a critical phase that requires the unity of all forces operating under the umbrella of legitimacy. He explained that any unilateral actions aimed at forcibly altering the military or administrative landscape without national consensus only serve the interests of those lying in wait for Yemen, foremost among them the Houthi militias supported by the Iranian regime. He affirmed that the Presidential Leadership Council, since its formation in April 2022, has set its primary objective as unifying the military and security institutions, which is entirely incompatible with any measures that perpetuate division.

Counterterrorism: Between National Duty and Political Exploitation

Regarding the fight against terrorism, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council emphasized that Yemen has long suffered from the scourge of extremist organizations, and that the battle against these groups is ongoing and decisive. However, Al-Alimi cautioned against using the slogan “counterterrorism” as a cover for advancing political agendas or legitimizing territorial control outside the framework of the law and the constitution. He added that success in this area requires disciplined institutional work under the supervision of official state bodies and in cooperation with regional and international partners, to ensure that the focus remains on its true objectives.

Historical context and current challenges

These statements come at a time of significant political and military complexities in Yemen, as the internationally recognized legitimate government seeks to extend its authority and activate its institutions in the interim capital, Aden, and the liberated governorates. Since the outbreak of the conflict following the Houthi coup in 2014, the legitimate government has faced numerous challenges, not only in confronting the coup but also in managing internal divisions among the various anti-Houthi factions.

Regional and international importance

Observers believe that Al-Alimi's warnings carry important messages for the international and regional community, namely that Yemen's stability hinges on supporting legitimate state institutions and rejecting any formations or practices that undermine the central authority of sovereign decision-making. Stability in the liberated areas is a fundamental pillar of any future UN-sponsored peace process, as the fragmentation of power and the multiple loyalties of armed groups complicate the chances of reaching a comprehensive political solution to end the years-long war and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, which the UN has described as the worst in the world.