Yemen Presidential Leadership Council targets Houthi smuggling and security threats

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the government held a joint meeting led by President Rashad al-Alimi to discuss political, economic, and security developments. Key priorities include strengthening deterrence, combating smuggling, and reclaiming state resources to undermine the Houthi militia's war economy.

In security developments, Yemeni counter-terrorism forces recently killed ISIS spokesperson Abu Hudhayfa al-Ansari. Additionally, security authorities in Aden reported the dismantling of a Houthi-linked terrorist cell that had been trained in combat and explosive manufacturing in Houthan, Taiz, to target military and security headquarters in Aden.

Amidst these security measures, Houthi leaders have characterized growing public discontent over economic hardship and unpaid salaries as a ‘soft war’ aimed at destabilizing their control. This rhetoric coincides with increased security crackdowns in Sana'a ahead of the September 26 revolution anniversary to prevent public gatherings.