Yemen / Anadolu

A huge crowd of residents of Taiz, located in southwestern Yemen, turned out for a demonstration on Thursday, with participants chanting slogans calling for the liberation of cities under the control of the Houthi group.

These popular movements come at a time when the governorate suffers from a complex humanitarian situation due to the exceptional circumstances the country has witnessed for years.

The mass event started on Jamal Street, under government control, in response to an official call from the leadership of Taiz governorate, according to Anadolu’s correspondent.

Participants raised banners reading: 'Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemen embodies the depth of fraternal relations and shared destiny between the two peoples,' 'Together for national alignment in support of legitimacy and presidential decisions,' and 'Restoring the state is the path to peace, salaries, services, and development.'

They also raised the Yemeni and Saudi flags, and pictures of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to a statement from Taiz governorate, 'hundreds of thousands of the governorate’s residents participated in the march to affirm adherence to the republican project, restore state institutions, and end the coup.'

Also participating in the march were 'local authority leaders, directors of executive offices, institutions, and districts, leaders of the national army and security agencies, leaders of political parties and organizations, civil society organizations, tribal elders and notables, and various community components,' according to the statement.

In a speech on the sidelines of the demonstration, Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan announced his full support for the contents of the speech by Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi, describing it as a roadmap for rebuilding state institutions and protecting sovereignty.

Shamsan stressed support for all measures taken by the Presidential Leadership Council and the government to protect Yemen’s sovereignty, and rejection of any attempts to impose a fait accompli outside state institutions.

He added that Taiz governorate, which has suffered a continuous Houthi siege for years, represents the truest witness to the falsity of the Houthi group’s claims regarding the 'siege.'

Shamsan accused the group of 'closing main roads, targeting civilians with shelling and sniping, and committing widespread violations against the governorate’s residents.'

The governor called for 'unifying the national ranks and rallying around the political leadership, armed forces, and security agencies, making the battle for liberation a unifying national goal.'

On Monday, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council called on the people and all national forces to 'rally around the armed forces, all military formations, and security agencies, and support them in performing their national duty to protect the republic, preserve sovereignty, restore state institutions, and end this coup that has brought only destruction and devastation to Yemen.'

Since April 2022, Yemen has witnessed a truce in a war that began more than 11 years ago between government forces backed by a coalition led by neighboring Saudi Arabia, and the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has controlled provinces and cities, including Sanaa, since September 21, 2014.

The Houthis still control most areas in northern and western Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the governorates of Dhamar, Al Bayda, Ibb, and Al Mahwit, in addition to most parts of the governorates of Al Hudaydah, Hajjah, and Saada, as well as other areas.

In contrast, government forces and their allies control the interim capital Aden and the governorates of Al Mahrah, Hadramawt, Shabwah, and Abyan, as well as most of the governorates of Lahij, Taiz, and Al Dhale.

These protests reflect the growing popular anger against Houthi practices and the repercussions of the siege on Taiz. These events are seen as a political and popular pressure message to support the legitimacy of state institutions. The Yemeni street remains awaiting any political or field developments that might help ease living burdens and restore the path of development. Taiz will remain a key axis in both conflict and peace equations.