RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
Yemen’s internationally recognised government has called for nationwide mobilisation against the Houthi movement, but analysts say fears of retaliation could discourage residents of Houthi-controlled areas from responding.
Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, issued the mobilisation call following recent Houthi advances in western Yemen.
Al-Alimi called on Yemenis to support government forces and contribute to efforts aimed at restoring state authority across the country, including the capital, Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014.
The government has also offered amnesty to Houthi members who defect and stop fighting or working for the movement.
The mobilisation comes amid a significant escalation in Yemen’s long-running conflict, with government forces and the Houthis engaged in renewed fighting after frontlines had remained relatively stable following the 2022 truce.
Ibrahim al-Huri of the University of Saba in Marib said many Yemenis had endured years of conflict and displacement and wanted an opportunity to return to their communities.
He said the mobilisation call could attract greater support in areas controlled by the internationally recognised government, particularly Taiz and Marib, where residents have experienced prolonged fighting.
However, al-Huri said the response could be significantly different in territories controlled by the Houthis.
He argued that some residents in those areas might support the government’s initiative but could be reluctant to act because of fears of retaliation.
“Even in the Houthi-controlled areas, there would be many people who would like to answer the call for mobilisation, but there will be some obstacles and challenges like the fear of retaliation,” he said.
His assessment represents an analyst’s view of possible public reaction and does not establish the level of support for the mobilisation among residents of Houthi-controlled territories.
The latest escalation follows major Houthi territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the capture of strategic areas around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The renewed fighting has also worsened displacement and humanitarian pressures in a country already severely affected by more than a decade of conflict.
Al-Alimi has said the government’s objective is to restore state institutions and extend government authority throughout Yemen.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have continued military operations against government forces and have warned foreign countries against expanding their involvement in the conflict.
With Yemen again experiencing intensified fighting, the effectiveness of the government’s mobilisation effort is likely to depend partly on security conditions, territorial control and the willingness of civilians and existing forces to support the campaign.
For millions of displaced Yemenis, analysts say the broader concern remains whether the renewed conflict can eventually produce sufficient security for families to return safely to their communities.
