Tariq Saleh: Equation changed in Yemen; Houthi escalation ordered by Iran

Member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and Commander of the National Resistance Forces, General Tariq Saleh, emphasized the importance of societal unity and standing behind the armed forces and fighters on all fronts. He affirmed that the equation has changed and that the Houthi group now faces new military capabilities that have disrupted its calculations, in light of what he described as Iranian escalation under the directives of the Revolutionary Guard.

This came in a speech he delivered before notables and residents of the Al-Mokha and Mawza' districts, where he stated that the recent Houthi escalation "is an Iranian escalation under the directives of the Revolutionary Guard." He noted that the repeated attacks and the large number of missiles launched daily by the group are, in his words, evidence of its failure and inability to confront the repeated strikes it is receiving on various fronts.

Saleh added that the introduction of new weapons, particularly drones, "has confounded the Houthis and disrupted Iran's calculations." He pointed out that the National Resistance Forces and the armed forces have developed, over the past period, weapons, capabilities, and training that have enabled them to "teach the Houthis lessons" on the battlefield—whether in drone warfare, artillery, or naval forces. He stressed that these capabilities have contributed to cutting supply and smuggling routes, and that equipment and means of smuggling that used to pass daily, according to him, now "have to think a thousand times" before passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Hodeidah.

Below, Nashwan News publishes the full text of General Tariq Saleh's address to the notables of Al-Mokha and Mawza', delivered on August 19, 2026:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Brothers, sons of Al-Mokha District and Mawza' District, we are honored to meet with you today amidst these escalating circumstances caused by the repeated Houthi attacks on various fronts—whether on the West Coast, in Marib, in Al-Dhale'e, or elsewhere. Everywhere.

The recent Houthi escalation is an Iranian escalation under the directives of the Revolutionary Guard. It began with targeting civilian ships when they sank the Indian vessel, aiming to blockade the Yemeni people and close ports—including Mokha Port, a key port for the liberated governorates, especially Taiz and Hodeidah.

The repeated attacks and the large number of missiles launched daily are evidence of the Houthis' failure and their inability to confront the repeated strikes they are receiving on various fronts.

Your heroes and sons in the armed forces are inflicting heavy blows on the Houthis everywhere. The equation has changed. The introduction of new weapons, especially drones, has confounded the Houthis and disrupted Iran's calculations.

Their corpses and funerals are everywhere—funeral processions in Sana'a, Hajjah, Amran, Saada, everywhere, in Dhamar—funeral processions everywhere. He is deceiving his supporters and followers by claiming victories; he has no victories whatsoever.

The total number of targets struck on the West Coast across all its districts is 56 ballistic missiles and 4 suicide drones. None of the objectives he sought were achieved—only the destruction of civilian infrastructure and damage to ports, including Mokha Port and some facilities.

Your sons are fighting on the frontlines. That is why we need you to stand behind them, and for society to stand behind them. Unity of society and standing behind the armed forces—that is where victory comes.

We are speaking of a battle that, if it erupts, will be the decisive one, God willing. We will reclaim our dignity, restore state institutions, retake Sana'a, retake Hodeidah, and restore the entire state.

I hope from the brothers present here that you be one hand, that you be an active force within society in our areas to strengthen the resolve of our armed forces and support them. You are the ammunition, you are the backing, you are the reinforcement.

We need from you awareness within society of the gravity of the battle and of what the Houthis are doing. We want you—the local council, sheikhs, dignitaries, and scholars—to go to all villages and areas to raise awareness among the people, so that the simple citizen is not misled under the pretext of fighting America and Israel.

There is no presence of America or Israel, nor even any contact. America is not involved; all we have from them is talk. What we have are our men in the field, and we place our trust in God and in our men on the ground.

Through what we have developed in the recent period—weapons, capabilities, and training—we have taught the Houthis lessons that surprised them on the battlefield, whether in drone warfare, artillery, missile systems, or naval forces that have upset the equation and nearly cut off supply and smuggling routes.

What used to pass daily—shipments on boats and vessels smuggling to the Houthis—has now become a thousand times more difficult as they pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Hodeidah, because the naval forces and coast guard are lying in wait for them.

Our people in areas under Houthi control reject what the Houthis are doing, though some are forced, and they reject this war because it is Iran's war, not the Yemenis' war.

What was previously promoted has become clear to all people, even the simplest citizen, that this war is Iran's war. His claims of sovereignty and national defense, and all that empty talk, are an Iranian project—a project of the Revolutionary Guard.

Iran is maneuvering in the Strait of Hormuz and sought to expand its maneuvers to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Our forces on the coast are largely thwarting this maneuver, which is why this heavy assault is taking place—because we have prevented them from reaching Bab el-Mandeb.

And, God willing, we will retake Hodeidah, not only preserve Bab el-Mandeb. The men of the armed forces and the steadfast heroes of the National Resistance in the mountains are teaching the enemy lessons daily. Our losses are minimal, praise be to God.

We pray for the souls of civilian and military martyrs who have fallen, and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded and injured.

I commend your efforts, and I want to say that the unity of society behind the armed forces is the most important thing. I hope that anyone who can initiate something to serve our armed forces will do so—whether with an idea or a specific contribution. Protect your sons, our brothers, our tribes, our sheikhs, and our people in all governorates.

The equation has changed. No one reaches the frontline and turns back. Now you have missiles and long-range drones that Iran brought, smuggled by sea and land.

We have built significant tactical capabilities, and there are things that, God willing, will soon enter service that will surprise the Houthis—drones that will pursue them everywhere.

Trust in your leadership; trust in your fighting sons—they will not let you down. We are all united in one battle.

I wish you success, and thank you very much for your presence. Through you, I convey our greetings to all our people, sons, mothers, and sisters.

Thank you very much.

I entrust you to God.