Yemeni leader calls on public to enlist, offers amnesty to Houthi defectors

Yemeni leader Rashad al-Alimi delivered a speech marking his first public address since forces loyal to the government lost territory along the country's western Red Sea coastline. In the address, he called on the public to enlist in the armed forces, emphasizing the need to bolster military ranks amid the current situation.

Al-Alimi also announced an amnesty offer for Houthi fighters who choose to abandon the movement. The pledge appears aimed at weakening the Houthis by encouraging defections rather than continued fighting.

The speech comes against the backdrop of recent setbacks for government-aligned forces, which lost control of areas on the western coast — a region that has long served as one of the key front lines between the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi movement. The loss of ground there is seen as a significant blow to government forces' standing.

Al-Alimi's remarks reflect an attempt to rally public support while simultaneously applying pressure on the Houthi movement from within, offering an exit route to those wishing to end their participation in the conflict. The speech did not include detailed specifics on the terms of the amnesty or on procedures for enlistment.

The conflict between Yemen's government and the Houthi movement has continued for years, and the latest developments suggest front-line dynamics remain fluid.