Yemen – Analysts reveal National Shield forces’ mission to counter Houthi plans
As the ongoing confrontations to deter the Houthis and their plots continue, Yemen has announced the formation of new military forces to confront the threat of a coup by the Houthi militia, which is supported by the Iranian regime.
New Forces missions
The Chairman of the Presidential Command Council in Yemen, Rashad Al-Alimi, issued Decree No. 18 of 2023, the first article of which provides for the establishment of military units called “National Shield Forces” and as a reserve for the Supreme Commander of the Yemeni Armed Forces. The second article of the decree stipulates: “The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces shall determine the number of these forces, their tasks, and their theater of operations in an operational order issued by him.”
Article 3 of the same decree obliges these forces to “serve under the Service in the Armed Forces Law and the relevant laws and under the directives of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.” The President of the Presidential Command Council was appointed by Decree No. 19 of 2023, Brigadier General Bashir Seif Qaid Ghebir Subaihi, as Commander of the National Shield Forces.
The Yemeni Presidential Council has various qualitative forces, most of which are led by members of the Presidential Council, including the National Resistance Forces led by Tareq Saleh, the Southern Forces led by Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, as well as the “Forces of the Giants” led by Abdul-Rahman al-Mahrami.
The Giants, composed of thousands of fighters, are the most effective strike force in the Houthi militia’s war and hold the greatest battlefield balance due to their large and overwhelming victories on Yemen’s west and east coast.
Most Important Decision
Yahya Abu Hatem, a Yemeni military analyst, said the recent decision by Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Command Council, to establish military units under the name “National Shield Forces” was “the most important military decision since the coup of the Houthi terrorist group”.
“We will continue to stand by Yemeni legitimacy with all its institutions, especially the Presidential Council led by President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi,” Abu Hatem said via Twitter. “We will fight all those who oppose it and hand over all those who surrender to it.”
“We believe that the return of the Republic of Yemen from the Houthi terrorist group will only take place under the banner of legitimacy”, Abu Hatem said.
National Shield Objectives
Yemeni political analyst Abdul Hafeez Nahari said the forces’ tasks are clear, which is to fight the Houthi militias. He confirmed that these forces have been training in STC camps for about a year and two months.
The political analyst added: The announcement at this time is an attempt to put pressure on the Houthis and convince them to go to the dialog table in all cases, pointing out that the strength of those forces will be eight military brigades deployed in Aden, Abyan, Hadramawt and Lahij in the south of the country.
