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The Saudi Press Agency reported that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of congratulations to Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi on the occasion of Yemen’s national day. The king conveyed sincere wishes for Al-Alimi’s good health and happiness along with hopes for greater security and stability for the Yemeni government and people. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz transmitted a parallel message that echoed the same expressions of goodwill toward the Presidential Leadership Council chairman and the brotherly Republic of Yemen.
Such annual exchanges have become a regular diplomatic practice between the two countries as noted on the official website of the Yemeni presidency. The Presidential Leadership Council confirmed receipt of both cables on the 64th anniversary of the September 26 Revolution. Saudi officials have consistently used the occasion to reaffirm support for Yemen’s legitimate authorities amid ongoing regional challenges. The messages arrive as part of a pattern that has held steady across multiple years of conflict.
The September 26 Revolution of 1962 overthrew the Zaidi Imamate and led to the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic according to historical timelines published by Reuters. This foundational event is observed each year as a cornerstone of republican governance in northern Yemen which later unified with the south in 1990. Yemeni state narratives portray the revolution as a pivotal break from centuries of traditional rule that paved the way for modern state institutions. Academic analyses have traced its ripple effects across the wider Arabian Peninsula.
Al Jazeera reported that Al-Alimi used the anniversary to issue a national call for general mobilisation against Houthi forces following their advances in western Yemen including the seizure of Mocha and Mayyun Island. The Presidential Leadership Council president also extended an immediate amnesty offer to any Houthi fighters willing to defect from the Iran-aligned group. These steps come after the collapse of a prior truce that had paused much of the fighting since 2022. The developments have heightened pressure on government-held territories.
A May 2026 Congressional Research Service assessment found that Saudi Arabia has maintained strong backing for the Aden-based government and the Presidential Leadership Council since the body’s creation in 2022. The kingdom has supplied financial assistance for public salaries and coordinated military efforts to counter threats to Yemeni sovereignty. Recent Saudi interventions have focused on restoring order in eastern provinces after internal clashes disrupted anti-Houthi unity.
The Soufan Center said in a September 2026 analysis that Saudi forces have conducted strikes on Houthi positions in response to renewed attacks on Saudi territory and shipping routes. Riyadh has also worked to reconcile factions within the broader anti-Houthi camp including Salafist units that shifted alignments in early 2026. These actions reflect Saudi Arabia’s strategic interest in securing its southern border and key maritime passages through the Bab al-Mandab strait. The diplomatic messages thus carry added significance amid the evolving security landscape.
