Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis, including prominent tribal and community figures and supporters from the country’s provinces under the control of the internationally recognized government, took to the streets in Saada, Taiz, Dhamar, Hudaydah, Al Bayda, Lahj, Hajjah, Al Dhale’e, Raymah, Ibb and elsewhere, turning out for mass rallies held under the slogan: “Supporting the Armed Forces, Responding to Siege with Siege, and Exposing the Falsehood of Claims that Mecca Was Targeted.” Demonstrators waved the Yemeni flag, held copies of the Holy Quran and chanted slogans calling for freedom.

Addressing the rallies, Yemenis declared that they were following the path to Jerusalem, the path of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, the path of the Quran, and the path of the oppressed, whom they said they were prepared to defend with their blood. They stressed that the nation would not abandon the Palestinian cause, its holy sites, or the causes that unite the Arab and Muslim world.

The demonstrators also delivered a direct message to the House of Saud over what they described as the fabricated claim that Mecca had been targeted. “We are the guardians of the Kaaba, and you know that. 

So why do you lie? Why do you fabricate such claims?” they said, stressing that continued efforts to manufacture false narratives through the media would not conceal what they described as failure and helplessness on the battlefield.

They also warned Saudi Arabia against further escalation, pointing to developments on the western coast and in Al Jawf as evidence of the consequences of previous confrontations. 

They called on Saudi forces to withdraw and return, warning that continued attacks on the Yemeni people would expose Saudi military bases to further strikes.

The participants reiterated that their mobilization was intended to stand with Palestine and defend the Islamic holy sites, particularly Mecca. They said their message to the world was that they were a nation determined to protect its sanctities at all costs and until its final breath, adding that they took pride in being Yemenis who defend the holy sites.

In a statement issued at the rallies, the participants said the Yemeni people reject what they called a “grave falsehood” and remain committed to what they described as a just cause in confronting an aggression and siege that, according to the statement, have persisted for twelve years. 

They reaffirmed their refusal to abandon what they called the path of jihad in the cause of God or to surrender their freedom, independence and dignity.

The statement hailed the Armed Forces for what it described as “great and historic victories,” paid tribute to those killed in the fighting, and called for a speedy recovery for the wounded and steadfastness and success for those holding their positions on the front lines.

It further vowed to continue confronting Saudi Arabia and supporting the Armed Forces under the principle of “siege for siege, escalation for escalation,” including strikes against Saudi military build-ups until the siege is broken. 

The statement said the Yemeni people remained confident in the justice of their cause, the restoration of their rights and the removal of aggression and all forms of oppression from Yemen, regardless of the cost.

The statement categorically rejected accusations that Mecca had been targeted, describing them as a “dangerous accusation,” a “major lie” and a “grave falsehood.” It said the allegation amounted to a crime against the Yemeni people, a deliberate attempt to defame them and an affront to the honor and sanctity of their Islamic identity. In support of its position, it cited the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, as saying: “Faith is Yemeni, and wisdom is Yemeni.”

The statement declared that the lives and possessions of the entire Yemeni people were at the disposal of Mecca and the Islamic holy sites, reaffirming Yemen’s longstanding positions on the causes of the Muslim world, foremost among them the defense of Islamic sanctities, support for the Palestinian cause and solidarity with what it described as all just causes, particularly the path of jihad and resistance.

The statement called on governments, political parties and other groups to take a stand through what it described as genuine and honorable action, arguing that this would distinguish those who are sincere from those who are false when it comes to protecting the holy sites and preserving the honor and dignity of the nation. It concluded with prayers for victory, mercy for the martyrs, healing for the wounded and freedom for the prisoners.