Yemeni leader urges public to enlist, offers amnesty to Houthi defectors

Rashad al-Alimi pledges amnesty for Houthi defectors in first speech since losing ground on the western Red Coast.Published On 26 Sep 202626 Sep 2026The head of Yemen’s governing body has called on people to mobilise and join the Saudi-backed armed forces as it seeks to counter advances made by the Houthis towards the critical Bab al-Mandeb strait.The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad al-Alimi also pledged on Friday to pardon any Houthi fighter who defects to the government forces in his first speech since the government forces were routed from the western Red Sea coast by the rebel group.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Saudi-led coalition says shot down 6 ballistic missiles launched by Houthislist 2 of 4Oil prices jump after Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Saudi facilitieslist 3 of 4Pakistan, Turkiye edge closer towards joining Saudi war against Houthislist 4 of 4Yemen fighting displaces 71,000 children, worsens malnutrition: UNICEFend of list“I call on the sons of our great people to engage in a general mobilisation and national mobilisation to rally around their armed and security forces, join their ranks through official channels, and contribute...