Why has the Yemen government called for a general mobilisation?

What the report says

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has called for a general mobilisation as it seeks to push back Houthi advances and regain ground lost in western Yemen, according to Al Jazeera. The appeal was made by Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, in his first major speech since government forces were driven back from the Red Sea coast. He urged civilians to help in the campaign and said the aim was to restore state authority, including in Sanaa, which the Houthis have held since 2014.

Al Jazeera reported that the government also offered immediate amnesty to Houthi fighters who defect. The move is intended to weaken rebel ranks and signal that the government is not looking for revenge, with analysts cited by the outlet suggesting that such a message could matter in Yemen’s tribal context. The report said the offer may become more attractive if the Houthis start losing territory.

The mobilisation comes after a sharp escalation in fighting in September, including Houthi captures of Mocha and Mayyun Island and renewed pressure along the Bab al-Mandeb corridor, a key route for global shipping. Al Jazeera said the developments have increased concern in Saudi Arabia, a backer of the Yemeni government and a frequent target of Houthi missiles and drones. The article added that regional attention is growing, but the scale of any outside response remains uncertain.