The Yemeni Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Mohsen Mohammed Al-Da'ari, held a wide-ranging meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2024, with leaders from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, including the Chief of Staff and Commander of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, who participated via video conference from Marib.

According to the official Yemeni news agency Saba, the meeting discussed the military situation on the battlefronts in light of the escalating threats and provocations from the Houthi militia.

The meeting commended the "high combat readiness of the armed forces and all military formations to deter the threats of the Houthi terrorist militia, supported by the Iranian regime, and the criminal organizations collaborating with them."

The military leaders were urged to "intensify coordinated efforts with all relevant departments and agencies to enhance combat readiness, continue the successes achieved, particularly in the fields of training and qualification, and raise the level of vigilance in all military regions and axes."

The meeting comes hours after Houthi leaders issued statements threatening escalation on the battlefronts. In a speech to his supporters, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi threatened to target Saudi ports, airports, oil facilities, and banks.

The meeting also coincides with military reinforcements being deployed by both the Houthi group and government forces to several fronts in the provinces of Taiz, Lahj, and Marib, amid concerns that this could derail UN-led efforts to end the war and establish peace, which regional countries are also pushing for.