Yemen’s Houthi leader admits to Hodeidah losses in message to supporters

Yemen's Houthi leader Abdelmalik al-Houthi acknowledged the defeats his militias suffered from in the west coast and called on his supporters not to flee.

“Any retreat for objective reasons does not mean the end of the battle,” Houthi said in a televised speech broadcast by Al Masirah channel on Sunday.

Houthi’s speech discussed the battles’ developments after Yemeni legitimate forces, aided by the Arab coalition, made quick field advances as they’re now 18 kilometers away from the city of Hodeidah.

Houthi called on his supporters not to flee from the fighting fronts, adding that “infiltrations” in the coastal side can be contained and controlled.

He appealed to people in Hodeidah not to flee and said that the “enemy,” in reference to Yemen’s legitimate forces, “can launch a battle in Hodeidah but it’s impossible for it to finalize it.”

“Your freedom is at stake more than ever,” he told his supporters and warned them of “dereliction, confusion and worry.”