Yemen Army Chief Announces Unified Military Leadership
Lt. Gen. Sagheer bin Aziz, Yemen’s chief of the General Staff and commander of joint operations, has declared that the country’s military leadership and decision-making process are now unified as part of ongoing efforts to bring all military formations under the Ministry of Defense. Speaking from Marib, he stated that the Armed Forces have completed approximately 80 percent of their operational and administrative arrangements since the 2022 truce began.
Progress Since the 2022 Truce
Bin Aziz explained that the military has focused on rebuilding units, improving combat readiness, and strengthening capabilities to confront Iran-backed Houthi forces. “Since the truce began in 2022, we have made excellent progress in both operational and administrative arrangements. We reorganized military units, their sectors, and their missions in accordance with military standards. We also trained and qualified large numbers of Armed Forces personnel and restructured the administrative framework of military units in line with the law,” he said.
Since 2015, the Yemeni military has fought an unprecedented war. “The Armed Forces were assembled from former Army units as well as newly established formations while fighting a conflict that continued until 2022, during which the military suffered tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded,” Bin Aziz noted. He added, “The Army withstood an arsenal backed by Iran. There were setbacks, but our resilience was greater because it preserved what remained of the Republic of Yemen and the institutions of the state.”
Smart ID Card System Implementation
One of the key achievements highlighted by Bin Aziz is the introduction of a smart ID card system for Armed Forces personnel, now implemented in about 95 percent of military units. He described this as a crucial step in eliminating overlap and duplication within the armed forces. “This is an important achievement because it removes doubts and concerns about overlapping units, duplication, and related issues. We are satisfied with what has been accomplished so far, and the work is continuing.”
Unifying Military Formations Under Ministry of Defense
On integrating military formations, Bin Aziz stressed that unifying the administration of the Armed Forces is essential for battlefield success and stability in Yemen. He acknowledged that the process requires time and multiple steps to incorporate various formations under the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. “Reforming the military establishment and unifying its administration is a goal shared by everyone. We believe that unifying the military’s command structure is one of the fundamental pillars for achieving success in the battle and securing stability in the Republic of Yemen.”
Lessons from Modern Warfare
Asked about military lessons from years of war, Bin Aziz noted that warfare has changed dramatically, with drones, ballistic missiles, electronic jamming systems, and smart weapons becoming decisive. However, he emphasized that technology does not eliminate the role of ground forces. “War today has become a different kind of conflict. Drones, ballistic missiles, electronic jamming systems, and smart weapons have become the decisive factors. But no matter how advanced technology becomes, ground forces, particularly the infantry, remain among the most important factors in success on the battlefield.” He added, “Drones, ballistic missiles, and smart systems cannot remain on the ground and secure it. The infantry soldier remains the decisive factor in holding territory, and controlling the ground is more important than any other weapon.”
Yemen’s Use of Modern Technologies
Bin Aziz confirmed that the Yemeni Armed Forces are effectively using modern technologies, with specialized units for drones, smart weapons, and electronic jamming systems, along with experienced personnel. “Our training and qualification in this field are of the highest standard. We have specialized units for drones, smart weapons, and electronic jamming systems, along with highly capable personnel who possess extensive battlefield experience as well as advanced training.”
Saudi Arabia’s Support and Partnership
He praised Saudi Arabia’s support, noting that the Kingdom has trained hundreds of Yemeni military personnel. “Our brothers in Saudi Arabia are also committed to training and qualification. We highly value and appreciate the continued military cooperation they have provided.” Bin Aziz described the relationship as a genuine partnership on the ground across multiple fields, especially in confronting Houthi threats targeting Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab region. “The Saudis have stood with us through every circumstance and at every stage. We can never fully repay them for the support and cooperation they have provided in what we regard as our sacred battle against the Houthi group.”
He stressed that Saudi Arabia’s support is not driven by political or economic objectives but by the conviction that the security of Yemen and Saudi Arabia is indivisible. “We know that Saudi Arabia has no political or economic ambitions in its cooperation with the Republic of Yemen. Its primary objective is the belief that its security is inseparable from Yemen’s, and Yemen’s security is inseparable from its own. This is a sincere, brotherly stance and the response of generous men standing by their brothers in Yemen.”
The Army chief concluded, “Today, we are no longer in a phase of coordination alone. We are in a phase of genuine partnership on the ground, militarily, economically, politically, and socially, to defeat the enemy that threatens Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the entire Arab world.”
