Yemeni Defense Minister Taher al-Aqili stressed on Thursday evening that government forces will not target any civil gatherings in areas controlled by the Houthi group, affirming his forces' commitment to international humanitarian law and its customary rules. This came in a statement published by al-Aqili on his account on the American platform "X", hours after a statement from the Yemeni Ministry of Defense warned citizens in Houthi-controlled areas against participating in mass gatherings and cultural courses, considering them "legitimate military targets".
Implementation and Correction
Al-Aqili said: "We confirm that the warning issued by the Ministry of Defense's account regarding tribal gatherings is an incorrect and unacceptable statement." He added: "On behalf of myself and the Ministry of Defense staff, I offer my full apology to tribal members, and directed the competent authorities in the Ministry of Defense to investigate it immediately." He affirmed that "the authentic Arab Yemeni tribes are the main carrier of the project to restore the state, and we can never be against them under any circumstances."
Commitment to the Law
He continued: "The armed forces will not target any gathering, whether it is a tribal nakfa or other civil gatherings, and we affirm our commitment to international humanitarian law and its customary rules in all our military operations." He considered "the Yemeni tribe a fundamental pillar in the national battle to restore the state." He said that tribes "are always at the forefront, offering their finest sons to confront the terrorist Houthi militia project."
Previous Warnings
Earlier on Thursday, the Yemeni Ministry of Defense warned citizens in Houthi-controlled areas against participating in any gatherings held under the name of "tribal nakfa, mass mobilization, cultural courses, or other titles." The ministry accused the Houthi group of exploiting these gatherings "to mobilize children, youth, and misled citizens and throw them into the furnaces of death in service of its combat activities and destructive project." These developments come amid a continuous military escalation between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces since July last year, which included attacks towards Saudi territory.
Background of the Conflict
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa and several governorates since September 2014. The tribal nakfa is a social tradition in Yemen, consisting of inviting tribe members to mobilize in response to a specific issue or stance, such as revenge, defending a member, supporting a side in a dispute, or expressing a collective position. The ministry stressed that "any gatherings of this kind will be considered legitimate military targets," calling on citizens to stay away from them and not allow their sons to be exploited and their lives put at risk.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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