The move follows Houthi seizures of the city of Mocha and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September, a strategic maritime chokepoint for global trade between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Lawmakers citing threats to national security and property acknowledged the support of the Saudi-led Arab coalition when approving the surge. Houthi forces have maintained control of Yemen's capital, Sana'a, since 2014.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Yemen Government Activates General Mobilization With Amnesty for Houthi Defectors
War19 days ago
The Yemeni cabinet has met to finalize the rollout of a nationwide call to arms for citizens and military reserves. Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi urged the public to contribute in every way possible to the effort and formally offered amnesty to Houthi fighters who defect to the internationally recognized state. These measures execute the general mobilization previously approved by the House of Representatives to combat rebels.
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