In a fierce open letter, Dr. Ahmed Obaid Ben Dagher, the President of Yemen’s Shura Council, addressed the Iran-backed Houthi group, urging them not to waste the chance for peace by focusing on national and Islamic issues. He threatened to take up arms against them if they continued down their current path.

Ben Dagher, writing on X (monitored by Barran Press), expressed solidarity with Palestine but criticized the Houthis for their destructive actions within Yemen. "While we stand fully with Palestine and its people, you are doing nothing but killing our own and destroying the infrastructure that Yemenis have worked hard to build," he stated.

He condemned the Houthis for jeopardizing regional and global security, pointing out that Israeli airstrikes had not targeted Houthi assets but devastated the properties of ordinary Yemenis. "Your ineptitude has led to suffering for our people," he added.

The Shura Council President rejected the Houthis' claims of supporting Palestine, asserting that the Palestinian cause is fundamentally Arab and that Yemen should not be at the forefront of this struggle while facing its crises. "Regardless of who rules in Sana’a, your policies will only lead Yemen to further loss," he warned.

Ben Dagher characterized the Houthis' actions as historically antagonistic towards the Yemeni people, asserting that their oppressive regime has only brought misery. "You seek to rule over a people who once accepted you as citizens, imposing concepts and judgments that have no divine basis," he stated.

He cautioned the Houthis, saying, "The same forces that have expelled tyrants from Sana’a will do so again." He emphasized that there is still a chance for dialogue and urged them not to squander it.

Ben Dagher pointed out that while everything around them is changing, the Yemeni people are rising up to reclaim their rights and restore their nation. He concluded with a stark warning: "If you refuse to change, we will fight you. The only authority over this people is their free will, which can only be expressed at the ballot box."

He accused the Houthis and Iran of being the true aggressors and urged them to reconsider their approach to peace and healing the wounds of the Yemeni people. This statement comes in the wake of Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled ports and power stations, which were reportedly in response to a Houthi missile attack on occupied territories.