Yemen’s Defense Minister Taher al-Aqili pledges to protect tribal gatherings, while Saudi Coalition Spokesperson Turki al-Maliki rejects Houthi attempts to exploit tribal communities and undermine their ties with the Kingdom.

Yemen and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed the central role of Yemeni tribes in restoring state authority and supporting national security and stability, emphasizing the protection of tribal and civilian gatherings and rejecting attempts by the Houthi movement to exploit tribal communities or create divisions between them and the armed forces.

In a statement on Thursday, Yemen’s Defense Minister, Lt. Gen. Taher al-Aqili, described Yemeni tribes as the backbone of the national effort to restore the state, stressing that the armed forces would never turn against them or target their gatherings.

Al-Aqili affirmed that the Yemeni military would not target any gathering, including tribal mobilizations known locally as nakf, or other civilian assemblies. He reiterated the armed forces’ commitment to international humanitarian law and its customary rules in all military operations.

The minister emphasized that Yemeni tribes remain an essential pillar of the national struggle to restore state institutions, noting that tribal members continue to serve on the front lines and make significant sacrifices in the fight against the Houthi movement.

He also accused the Houthis of attempting to exploit an erroneous statement issued through the Ministry of Defense’s official account to sow discord between Yemeni tribes and the armed forces.

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Historic Ties with Yemeni Tribes

In a related statement, the Saudi-led Coalition, represented by its spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, rejected Houthi allegations that Saudi Arabia had threatened to target tribal and civilian gatherings in Yemen.

The Saudi statement dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing the Houthis of spreading misinformation and attempting to draw Yemeni tribes into conflicts that undermine their interests and stability.

It emphasized that Yemeni tribes are an integral part of Yemen’s social and historical fabric and represent a longstanding bridge of brotherhood and cooperation between the Saudi and Yemeni peoples.

The statement highlighted the deep religious, historical, geographical, and social ties connecting the two countries, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining these relationships and supporting Yemen’s security and stability.

Saudi Arabia also rejected attempts to exploit tribal communities or involve them in conflicts that run counter to Yemenis’ aspirations for peace, security, and development.

Background

The statements followed controversy and misunderstanding surrounding an earlier warning published through the Yemeni Ministry of Defense’s official account regarding tribal gatherings. Al-Aqili described the statement as “wrong and unacceptable,” apologized to Yemeni tribes, and ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances of its publication.

The positions expressed by Yemen’s Defense Ministry and the Saudi-led Coalition underscore the strategic and social importance of Yemeni tribes, their role in efforts to restore state authority, and the commitment to protecting civilian gatherings amid ongoing military operations against the Houthis.