Mass rally in Taiz backs Yemen leadership, calls for lifting Houthi siege

TAIZ — Thousands of people gathered in Yemen’s Taiz on Thursday to call for an end to the Houthi siege of the city, support efforts to restore state institutions and reaffirm backing for the country’s political leadership.Participants carried Yemeni flags and banners expressing support for the republican system, the restoration of state institutions and efforts to end Houthi control.A statement issued at the rally voiced full support for the roadmap outlined by Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi, describing it as a national framework for restoring state institutions, safeguarding Yemen’s sovereignty and easing the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people.The statement also endorsed measures taken by the Presidential Leadership Council and the government to protect Yemen’s sovereignty and rejected attempts to impose authority outside state institutions.Participants welcomed the resumption of oil exports, describing it as an important step toward restoring state revenues, enabling the payment of public-sector salaries, improving public services and supporting the national economy.The statement said Taiz, which has remained under siege for years, stands as evidence of the humanitarian impact of the conflict, accusing the Houthis of closing major roads, targeting civilians with shelling and sniper attacks and committing widespread violations against residents.It called for greater national unity behind the political leadership, the armed forces and security agencies, describing the effort to restore state institutions as a shared national objective.The statement also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Yemen under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, citing the Kingdom’s political, economic, development and humanitarian assistance, as well as its support for efforts to restore the Yemeni state and achieve peace.Participants further called on the international community to take a firmer stance against the Houthis and to curb its sources of funding and weapons.The rally concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to supporting efforts to restore state institutions and achieve what they described as a just and lasting peace based on Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.