The member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and head of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidrous al-Zubaidi, has pledged unwavering support for the people of Saada province, vowing to stand by them until they return to their homes "with dignity and honor."

Al-Zubaidi made the statement during a meeting with tribal leaders and dignitaries from Saada, held at the Presidential Palace in Aden on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The meeting comes amid ongoing clashes between government forces and Houthi rebels in Saada, the birthplace of the Houthi movement.

"We are with you, by your side with all our strength, until we reach Saada and you return to your homes, live in dignity and honor, and in a way that befits your sacrifices," al-Zubaidi said, according to the official Yemeni news agency Saba.

He added that the Houthi militia, internationally recognized as a terrorist organization, is "on the verge of collapse," citing their designation as a terrorist group by the international community and their actions, including "terrorism and piracy in international shipping lanes," as signs of their impending demise.

Al-Zubaidi emphasized the importance of the people of Saada uniting against the Houthis, stating that their resistance will inspire others across Yemen to rise up and form a genuine resistance movement against the group.

He also stressed the need to prepare for the future, whether it involves peace or war, noting that the Houthis have shown no inclination towards peace and continue to target international shipping in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden.

The meeting provided a platform for the Saada tribal leaders to detail the hardships faced by their people under Houthi rule, including human rights abuses, forced ideology, and attempts to impose Iranian religious doctrine on the region.

Al-Zubaidi reiterated the Presidential Leadership Council's support for the efforts of the people of Saada and other areas under Houthi control to unite against the group, calling for an end to their "arrogance and ongoing violations against citizens." He also reaffirmed the Council's support for any initiative aimed at liberating Yemen and the region from the Houthi threat, which he described as a danger to the entire world.

The meeting marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, as it represents the first time a leader of the Southern Transitional Council, which advocates for the secession of southern Yemen, has engaged with community representatives from the north.

This encounter highlights the complex dynamics of the Yemeni conflict, where political and regional allegiances are constantly shifting, and the fight against the Houthis has become a unifying factor for diverse groups across the country.