Southern activist Al-Hasani reveals details of Al-Houthi initiative to spare southern governorates from conflict
ANKARA, Nov. 04 (YPA) – Southern political activist Adel Al-Hasani has revealed the details and substance of a message he received from Sayyed Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, outlining initiatives described as serious efforts to keep Yemen’s southern governorates out of ongoing military conflicts, amid repeated calls to halt the depletion of Yemeni blood in regional and international struggles.
Al-Hasani made the announcement in a video broadcast via X, in which he reviewed past and present initiatives proposed to leaders and tribal sheikhs in the south, detailing their political and field backgrounds.
Al-Subaiha Sheikhs’ Initiative and Saudi Rejection
At the outset, Al-Hasani outlined the initiatives that preceded the current message, stating: “Before presenting the initiative put forward by leader Abu Jibril to the people of the southern governorates, I would like to clarify what preceded it.”
He noted that twenty-two prominent sheikhs from Al-Subaiha tribes had previously presented an initiative, which he personally delivered to Abu Hussein Al-Madani, Chief of Staff in Sanaa.
Al-Hasani added: “The initiative stipulated that Sanaa forces withdraw from all areas they control overlooking the villages and countryside of Al-Subaiha, reposition toward Bab al-Mandab, and step back from the expansion into Al-Subaiha regions. It also stipulated that they would not accept the opposing side deploying military forces in the specific areas designated.”
Al-Hasani continued: “Three days later, a response came from Sanaa agreeing to the terms, expressing readiness to withdraw from all these areas and position themselves in the high mountains overlooking Bab al-Mandab, provided the Al-Subaiha tribes guaranteed no betrayal or mobilization from their rear. If the Al-Subaiha sheikhs committed to this, Sana’a committed to withdrawing from those regions.”
Al-Hasani stated: “I delivered this initiative to Hamdi Shukri and Major General Mahmoud Al-Subaihi. However, the Saudi side intervened and completely blocked this initiative—and I am a witness to this matter. They prevented any mediation between Sanaa and the tribes, even labeling it treason.” He added that certain military leaders from Al-Subaiha subsequently issued statements declaring that anyone initiating such moves would face execution.
“Yet, when Saudi Arabia desires a truce, the Saudi ambassador travels to Sanaa and concludes truce agreements, which is not considered treason or betrayal,” Al-Hasani remarked. “However, local proxies working under its command are not permitted to save lives or enter into a truce without consulting, obtaining permission, or securing approval from Riyadh.”
He pointed out that Mahmoud Al-Subaihi and Hamdi Shukri later told the sheikhs: “We are organizing the southern regions, and if they enter into a state of calm and truce, we are prepared for that.”
Substance of Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi’s Initiative
Regarding the current initiative, Al-Hasani stated: “The initiative from Abu Jibril conveys that the matter concerns the people of the southern governorates as a whole. Sanaa forces are prepared not to intervene even an inch in the southern governorates, leaving the conflict solely between them and Riyadh. Their focus is on blockading Saudi shipping in Bab al-Mandab, and they will not allow Saudi vessels to pass until Saudi Arabia allows all ships to pass, opens airports, lifts the blockade, and removes its hand from Yemen. They have entered a battle of wills against Riyadh.”
He continued: “It is unfortunate that our people are paying the price for this. The Saudis officially declare their readiness to sacrifice tens of thousands toward Bab el-Mandeb. In my belief, they will never reclaim it; even if they secure the Yemeni regions overlooking Bab al-Mandab, the mountain ranges seized by Sanaa forces—from Al-Subaiha and Al-Mudharabah lands to Kehboub and Al-Turbah—would require Saudi Arabia a hundred years to recover, if at all.”
Al-Hasani clarified that the initiative remains on the table, noting: “Consequently, this initiative is presented to the people of the southern governorates. We discussed it among ourselves—over a hundred tribal and leadership figures—yet so far, we have not found a single military leader from the southern governorates who possesses the independent authority to respond.”
Absence of Independent Decision-Making in Southern Forces
Addressing the status of military forces deployed on the ground in the south, Al-Hasani said: “A small fraction of the forces on the ground is affiliated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with some leadership still based in Abu Dhabi, taking orders from Mohammed bin Zayed. The largest portion—about ninety percent of the forces currently fighting on Yemeni soil—is under the command of Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Arabia. Not a single leader from the southern governorates can enter into any solution with you: neither war, peace, truce, nor anything else.”
He called upon the people of the south to adopt a neutral stance, adding: “The initiative remains open, and I believe it is an opportunity for the people of the southern governorates not to get involved in this conflict, and to let Riyadh and Sanaa fight over Bab al-Mandab. Bab al-Mandab yields no benefit to us; even if Saudi Arabia controls it and American or European forces arrive afterward, your task is to sacrifice your soul and blood to control Bab el-Mandeb. Let them fight over it instead, as you have no stake in it.”
YPA