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The Houthis (Ansar Allah) have held a series of parades in their areas of influence Yemen in what appears to be an attempt to project power and deter the Saudi-led coalition.
The parades were held amid a ceasefire sponsored by the United Nations (UN). The ceasefire entered into effect on April 2 and was set to end on June 2. Nevertheless, it was extended two times, first until August 2 and then until October 2.
The first parade was held on July 31 by the Central Military Region of the pro-Houthi wing of the Yemeni Armed Forces. A second parade was held by the 4th Military Region on August 3, then a third parade was held by the 6th Military Region on August 9. Later on August 10, the Military Police held their own parade.
The largest parade was held on August 12 by the Presidential Protection Brigades, which are responsible for the defend of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The parade was attended by Mahdi al-Mashat, Chairman of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council.
Speaking at the parade, al-Mashat said in a clear message to the Saudi-led coalition that the “cost of peace is way less than the cost of war.”
The Houthis have been apparently taking advantage of the UN-sponsored ceasefire to reorganize their military forces and boost their offensive capabilities.
Despite repeated reports of violations by the Houthis and Saudi-led coalition proxies, the ceasefire in Yemen will likely continue to hold up. The UN is already working to improve the conditions of the ceasefire as well as to extend it beyond October 2.
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