The leader of the Houthi group, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, said today, Thursday, that the path to peace is clear and requires an end to the aggression, an end to the siege, and an end to what he called the occupation of the Yemeni governorates.

While the fighting continues in Taiz and Ma'rib, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed the US commitment to pushing for a comprehensive peace process in Yemen.

Al-Houthi directed his advice to the Saudi-led coalition, to immediately stop the aggression and siege, noting that the air strikes that were directed at what he called the depth of the coalition represent a great inconvenience to them.

He also stressed that his forces will not surrender and that their defense position is legitimate according to all considerations and that they are not waiting for permission from the Security Council and the United Nations.

During his speech, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi rejected what he called the attempts by Saudi Arabia, America and some European countries to persuade his group to barter the humanitarian file for military and political agreements.

Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi: Our defense position is legitimate according to all considerations (Al-Jazeera)

Initiative and proposals

These statements came 3 days after Saudi Arabia announced an initiative to solve the Yemeni crisis, including a unilateral ceasefire, expressing its hope that the Houthi response would preserve Yemeni blood.

The (initiative) includes a comprehensive ceasefire under the supervision of the United Nations and the deposit of taxes and customs revenues for ships and oil derivatives from the port of Hodeidah (western Yemen) in the Central Bank.

It also includes the opening of Sanaa International Airport to a number of direct regional and international flights, and the start of consultations between the various parties under the auspices of the United Nations.

For about 7 years, Yemen has been witnessing an ongoing war between the pro-government forces backed by an Arab military coalition led by the Saudi neighbor, and the Houthis, who have controlled governorates, including the capital, Sanaa, since September 2014.

Blinken welcomed the Yemeni government's support for a comprehensive (European) ceasefire

An inclusive peace process

This comes while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed the commitment of the United States to push for a comprehensive peace process in Yemen.

In a phone call with Yemeni Prime Minister Moein Abdul-Malik, Blinken renewed Washington's support for the Yemeni government, and its call on the Yemeni parties to work towards the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.

Blinken also welcomed the Yemeni government's support for a comprehensive ceasefire, and its involvement in the UN-led political talks.

The US Secretary of State stressed the need for a ceasefire and a lasting and comprehensive peace agreement to achieve full economic recovery and address the humanitarian crisis.

Field developments

In field developments, violent battles have been taking place between the Yemeni army and the Houthis at the Muqabna front, west of Taiz, since dawn today.

The Army Media Center stated that the battles resulted in the killing of an army officer and wounding 4, in addition to the deaths and injuries of the Houthis, and the Houthis did not comment on these developments.

Meanwhile, Marib is witnessing clashes between the Yemeni army and the Houthis in the Kassara area of ​​the Serwah District.

The army had repelled an attack by the Houthis in the Al-Abdiya district, south of Marib, and prevented their infiltration into the area.