SANA’A -UNS Yemen’s internationally recognised government has strengthened the capabilities and coordination of its armed forces to confront the Houthi movement across multiple fronts, while continuing to regard a political settlement as its preferred option, army spokesman Colonel Staff Majed Al-Nazili said.
In an interview with Arab News’ “Frankly Speaking” programme, Al-Nazili said Yemen’s armed forces had developed their operational capabilities and improved coordination among government-aligned forces, creating a more unified response to Houthi attacks.
> “I am confident that what they saw on the ground changed their view of the equation,” Al-Nazili said, referring to the Houthis’ assessment of how government forces would respond to attacks.
He said the government remained committed to a political solution but warned that the army was prepared to respond if the Houthis chose further military escalation.
The comments come after renewed fighting and missile and drone attacks in several parts of Yemen in recent weeks, raising concerns that the country could again slide towards a broader conflict after years of relative calm.
More Unified Military Command
Al-Nazili identified the establishment of a more unified command structure among government-aligned forces as one of the most significant changes from previous rounds of fighting.
“All forces are united under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defence. They receive one command and one direction, and there is a single command-and-control room that monitors and coordinates the activities of all units,” he said.
He added that the Yemeni military had also improved its training, operational capabilities and understanding of modern warfare, allowing its units to operate with greater coordination and efficiency.
“What you see in terms of success on the ground is a unified and coordinated process,” Al-Nazili said, stressing that each military unit operates according to clearly defined missions and objectives.
Changing the Battlefield Equation
According to Al-Nazili, the Houthis had previously assumed that an attack on one front would not necessarily trigger a coordinated response on other fronts.
“They used to expect that when they attacked on the frontline, the other fronts would be contained and remain quiet,” he said, adding that this equation has now changed.
Al-Nazili also argued that the Houthis’ military capabilities have been significantly strengthened by Iranian support, warning that the continued transfer of military expertise and technology could have consequences beyond Yemen.
He said the Houthis would not be able to sustain their current level of military capability indefinitely without Iranian backing, underscoring Tehran’s role in supporting the group’s weapons, training and operational capabilities.
For Yemen’s government, Al-Nazili said, a political settlement remains the preferred path, but the military is prepared to confront any renewed escalation and defend government-held areas.
