Yemen envoy praises Morocco’s support as government forces pursue Houthi rebels

Yemen has not asked Morocco for military support as government forces pursue a campaign to regain control of the country from Houthi rebels, Yemen’s ambassador to Morocco said Wednesday, while praising Rabat’s longstanding support for Yemen’s unity and stability.

Ezzedine Saeed Al-Asbahi told a news conference at the Yemeni Embassy in Rabat that Yemenis viewed Morocco positively because it had consistently supported their country at critical moments.

“Morocco stands with Yemen,” Al-Asbahi said, referring to a message King Mohammed VI sent to Saudi Arabia following recent developments. He said Morocco’s position was well established and required no further confirmation.

The ambassador also praised Morocco’s political stability and development, recalling its participation in the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthis.

Al-Asbahi noted that Moroccan pilot Yassine Bahti was killed when his F-16 fighter jet crashed in Yemen while participating in the military campaign.

Morocco’s support for Yemen, he said, extended beyond military cooperation to include backing for the country’s territorial integrity, stability and peace efforts.

He added that Yemen had consistently supported Morocco’s territorial integrity since the country gained independence, including its claim to the disputed Western Sahara.

The remarks come as Yemen’s internationally recognized government seeks to restore state authority across the country.

On October 5, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, announced the launch of Operation Dawn of Yemen, aimed at restoring state institutions, reclaiming Sanaa and ending Houthi control.

Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said the operation sought to end the Houthi takeover and reestablish government authority throughout the country.

The ministry also said any future political process must restore state institutions, bring weapons under state control and safeguard Yemen’s unity, sovereignty and independent decision-making.

Al-Asbahi said Yemen had previously pursued de-escalation following the Stockholm agreements, which he described as part of efforts to halt military operations and establish a lasting truce.

However, he said the latest military campaign had been presented as necessary to restore state institutions and protect Yemen’s stability and regional security.

The ambassador argued that the conflict was no longer solely a domestic issue and called on the international community to take greater responsibility for addressing what he described as the threat posed by the Houthis.

The group, he said, posed a challenge not only to Yemen’s national security but also to regional and international security.

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