Head of Yemen’s National Negotiating Delegation Mohammad Abdul Salam stressed Yemeni Armed Forces’ “legitimate right to defend the country’s sovereignty, independence, and dignity” against Saudi aggression and military movements, while stressing that Sana’a has never closed the door to dialogue or negotiations.
In a statement on Tuesday, Abdul Salam said the Yemeni negotiating delegation continues to engage with various parties to clarify Sana’a’s position amid the ongoing aggression,
He said Yemeni military operations targeting Saudi ships, troop buildups, and camps in Yemen come within the framework of legitimate response to attacks, including the strike on Sana’a International Airport.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
— محمد عبدالسلام (@abdusalamsalah) August 11, 2026
تزامنا مع العدوان الذي يتعرض له شعبنا اليمني العزيز، فإن الوفد الوطني المفاوض يواصل اتصالاته ولقاءاته مع مختلف الأطراف الإقليمية والدولية لتوضيح موقفنا من هذه التطورات والتأكيد على أن العمليات التي تقوم بها قواتنا المسلحة ضد سفن السعودي وتحشيداته ومعسكراته…
“Our armed forces are continuing to fulfill their duty in confronting these conspiracies, defending the sovereignty, independence, and dignity of Yemen.”
The chief Yemeni negotiator said Sana’a had adhered to the truce and de-escalation for four years without attacking Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh instead of exploiting the truce to intensify economic and humanitarian pressure through restrictions on shipping, measures targeting banks and merchants, and what he described as a tightening blockade.
He said these measures had deepened the humanitarian crisis and driven up prices, accusing Saudi Arabia of rejecting dialogue while using the period of de-escalation to advance military preparations.
Abdul Salam affirmed that Yemen’s armed forces would continue confronting efforts to undermine the country’s sovereignty and independence, while stressing that any future political process must secure Yemenis’ legitimate rights, including reopening airports and seaports, paying salaries, and resuming oil and gas exports with revenues allocated to public services.
“We have never closed the door to dialogue and negotiation, neither before nor after. It is the Saudi side that rejects it.”
“Any future path must result in the realization of our people’s legitimate rights,” he added.