Houthi Leader Al-Mashat Claims Missile Arsenal Can Strike Any Saudi Coalition Target from Yemen

Houthi Leader Al-Mashat Claims Missile Arsenal Can Strike Any Saudi Coalition Target from Yemen

In a recent development, President of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, Mahdi Al-Mashat, issued a stern warning regarding the missile capabilities of the Houthi rebel group. Speaking during a meeting in the coastal governorate of Al-Hodeidah in western Yemen, Al-Mashat asserted that the Houthi arsenal is fully capable of striking any target within the countries of the Saudi-led coalition, which has been engaged in a prolonged conflict in Yemen. “It appears that you [coalition members Saudi Arabia and the UAE] need to experience our missile force, which can hit any target in any [of your cities],” he said. This statement comes amidst escalating tensions in areas under Houthi control, including the capital city of Sana’a, where demands for overdue salary payments have intensified.

Houthi Missile Arsenal

Mahdi Al-Mashat’s declaration about the Houthi missile arsenal highlights the group’s growing military capabilities. The Houthi rebels have been in possession of ballistic missiles for several years, and they have repeatedly launched attacks targeting Saudi Arabian cities, including Riyadh. Al-Mashat’s claim that these missiles can now strike any target in coalition member countries raises concerns about the intensification of hostilities in the region.

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014, when Houthi rebels seized control of the capital, Sana’a, and later, much of the country. This prompted a military intervention by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis facing food shortages and limited access to healthcare.

Calls for Salary Payments

Tensions have recently flared in Houthi-controlled areas, with demands for the payment of overdue salaries. Many Yemeni civil servants have gone without pay for years, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The Houthi leadership has described these demands as a “conspiracy” and accused those advocating for salary payments of working in favor of American schemes.

In his speech, Al-Mashat also highlighted the Houthi rebels’ efforts to rebuild Yemen despite the ongoing conflict. He cited an increase in domestic pharmaceutical production as an example, noting that in 2017, the rebels could produce only 38 different medicines, whereas now they are capable of manufacturing 1,818 varieties. The escalating tensions and Al-Mashat’s warning have raised concerns on the international stage. The United Nations and various countries have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Yemen.