President Al-Zubaidi: Eliminating the Houthi Threat Requires Developing a Comprehensive Deterrence Strategy

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), underscored that eliminating the threat posed by the Houthi militia in Yemen to regional and international peace and security requires developing a comprehensive local, regional, and international deterrence strategy. This statement came during his virtual meeting with US Ambassador Steven Fagin today, Wednesday.

During the meeting, President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi reiterated the PLC's readiness to engage in any regional and international efforts to end the Houthi militia's terrorism in Yemen and the region, whether by peace or war, pointing out that eliminating the Houthi threat requires real cooperation between the countries of the region and the world. 

The meeting, attended by Dr. Nasser Al-Khubbaji, Head of the Political Commission, assisting the presidency of the STC, Head of the Negotiations Unit in the STC, Mr. Mohammed Al-Ghaithi, Member of the STC's Presidency, Head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission (CRC) supporting the PLC, and Mr. Amr Ali Al-Beidh, member of the Presidency of the STC and Special Representative of the President of the STC, reviewed the latest developments in the economic and humanitarian situation in the country, as well as the economic and administrative reforms being undertaken by the PLC and the government to activate state institutions and enhance their performance.

The meeting also discussed the decisions taken by the PLC through a series of measures taken by the Central Bank and a number of service ministries, which generally aimed to stop Houthi tampering with the banking sector and the assets of government service institutions like Yemenia Airways.

The meeting touched on the latest developments related to the efforts of the international community and regional countries to end the war and bring about peace in Yemen and the region. In this regard, President Al-Zubaidi reiterated the need to form a joint negotiating team affiliated with the PLC and empower it to carry out its national duties as an umbrella representing the various forces within the PLC's framework.

For his part, Ambassador Fagin reiterated his country's unwavering support for all the measures taken by the PLC to strengthen state authority and commended its positive engagement with international and regional initiatives aimed at ending the war and bringing about peace.

Ambassador Fagin reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting the PLC and the government, highlighting that the United States is deeply concerned about the escalating Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Adena, asserting that the US is working closely with local, regional, and international partners to put an end to these threats.