Ali al-Asali urges Yemen leadership to seize opportunity to restore state

Political researcher Ali al-Asali has called upon Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government to seize what he describes as a ‘decisive historical moment’ to transition from a defensive posture to an offensive one to restore the state.

Al-Asali argues that current regional developments and the military, political, and economic pressures facing Iran have weakened the Houthi group, which he identifies as a tool for Tehran. He suggests that the Yemeni government currently possesses greater political and military capabilities due to support from Saudi Arabia and various international alliances.

To capitalize on this, al-Asali recommends practical steps, such as applying to join the Mecca Agreement for Collective Defense to bolster the Yemeni military. He warns that remaining in a reactive mode allows the Houthis to reorganize. Furthermore, he notes that the success of political mediation, including Omani efforts, depends on the balance of power at the negotiating table, emphasizing that peace must end the coup and restore state institutions rather than legitimizing the current status quo.