Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Dr. Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, highlighted the role of Saudi Arabia in strengthening Arabs in defending their identity and confronting common challenges. He also emphasized that the ‘Decisive Storm’ military operation has been instrumental in deterring subversive designs.

Al-Alimi made these remarks during his meeting with Okaz Editor-in-Chief Jameel Altheyabi on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the launch of Decisive Storm by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen that falls on March 26.

Director of the Office of the Yemeni Presidency Yahya Muhammad Al-Shuaibi, Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani, and a number of Yemeni officials were also present on the occasion.

The Yemeni leader lauded the distinguished historical relations between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, recalling the landmark occasions in the course of the brotherly relations and their developmental and economic testimonies for this in diverse fields.

Al-Alimi said that Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman, affirmed the unity of the two sisterly countries in confronting common challenges, and defending the Arab identity, as well as the interests of the Islamic Ummah and the security and stability of the region.

The Council chief affirmed that Decisive Storm restored hope for the Yemeni people and pride and dignity of the Arab nation, apart from its confidence in the ability to deter subversive designs in the region.

Al-Alimi appreciated Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and other friendly countries for their decisive role in preventing the total collapse of the state and protecting the interests of the Yemeni people and their aspirations to restore institutions, as well as ending the coup and achieve peace, stability, and development throughout the country.

The presidency chief also drew attention to the continuous escalation of violence by the Houthis in several governorates such as Marib, Shabwah, Taiz, Lahij, and Al-Dhalea, in addition to the military maneuvers and parades that are undermining international peace and security.

He confirmed the insightful and advanced vision of the leaders of the Decisive Storm and the urgent need for the survival of this Arab alliance as a safety valve for the security and stability of the region and the global energy supplies.

“The sixth anniversary of the launching of the Decisive Storm, which came this year in the holy month, will remain an immortal day in the history of our people and the entire Arab nation. Our brothers, led by Saudi Arabia, responded to the call of duty based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter which authorizes states in the free world to defend themselves, extend a helping hand to deter any armed attack, take all measures to maintain international peace and security, and bring back the situation to normal,” he said.

He noted, “This assistance gave our struggling people a space for freedom and coexistence and prevented the state from falling into the grip of terrorist militias and their destructive designs in Yemen."