How Do Yemenis Envision Tareq Saleh's Future After Mocha's Fall to the Houthis?

Following the arrival of Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, questions have arisen among Yemenis about his future after his withdrawal from the West Coast, amid rapid military developments in the vital region.

In recent days, the Houthis managed to take control of the city of Mocha, which was the headquarters for Tareq Saleh and his forces, in addition to other areas on the West Coast. This has sparked a wave of speculation about the reasons for the withdrawal and the fall of strategic areas, reaching  Bab al-Mandab.

Yemeni reactions have varied regarding Tareq Saleh's fate after these developments, amid speculation about his political and military future, in light of the significant retreat of his forces and areas of influence on the West Coast.

Removing Saleh from the Leadership Council

Journalist Ghamdan Al-Yusufi said that after Tareq Saleh's appearance and the official announcement that he is in Riyadh, his return to political and military life after what happened in Mocha requires several points.

Al-Yusufi suggested stripping him of his official capacity as a member of the Leadership Council, either through dismissal, resignation, or suspension of his membership.

Secondly, according to Al-Yusufi, it requires subjecting him to an official investigation by a committee formed by the Leadership Council, the Parliament, and the Shura Council.

He also proposed withdrawing all military and civilian powers until the investigation results are announced, and that these results be broadcast to the people.

He considered that the investigation's findings would determine what happens next.

Al-Yusufi also suggested that Tareq Saleh step away from the Yemeni scene, like the late President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and others."

Everyone is Accountable for What Happened

Journalist Nashwan Al-Othmani considered that Tareq Saleh presented a model that was the best, and that many would return from Mocha saying they saw and felt the nucleus of a state there.

He added that what was striking about the event, regardless of the comprehensive, painful, and completely unexpected collapse, was that the air intervention at that moment was not effective, while support was possible at the crucial time. 

He pointed out that if the failure was an intelligence one within the National Resistance and the Republican Guards, where were the Yemeni intelligence services and their Saudi counterparts in all that was happening?

He considered that everyone is accountable for what happened and that it is important to state this professionally and for the sake of truth.

Any Future Role for Tareq is an 'Insult to the State'

Human rights activist Riad Al-Dubai said that giving Tareq Saleh any new political or military role after what happened in Mocha would be an insult to the state and its legal and international standing, and also an insult to the blood of Yemenis who paid a heavy price to restore the state.

He added that Tareq did not liberate Mocha; rather, he received it already liberated, and when it was liberated, he was in the other camp, allied with the Houthis.

He pointed out that what happened recently, whether caused by betrayals or defections within some brigades joining the Houthis, does not negate a fundamental fact: there was a major military failure, and the person responsible for the forces cannot escape his responsibility by blaming everything on treason.

He continued: "We are talking about twenty brigades, trained, equipped, and armed with the latest capabilities. When a front of this size collapses, the natural question is: Where was the leadership? How was the battle managed? And who bears responsibility for this outcome?"

He said: "And no one here is gloating. The fall of Mocha or any Yemeni region is not a victory for anyone; the ultimate loser is Yemen."

He went on to say: "But if we want to build a real state and military institution, responsibility cannot just be a position without accountability. Whoever fails to manage this number of forces must admit his failure and bear responsibility.

Yemen does not belong to individuals, and the army does not belong to its commanders. Those who paid with their lives to restore the state deserve better leadership, not the recycling of failure and giving its perpetrators bigger roles."

A Call to Investigate Tareq

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist Tawakkol Karman said: "I call on the leader, President Rashad Al-Alimi, to remove Tareq Afash from the Leadership Council, relieve him of his military duties, and refer him for investigation and trial on charges of conspiracy and high treason."

She added: "We Yemenis cede sovereignty to Saudi Arabia regarding the imprisonment of the traitor Tareq Afash. Put him in Al-Ha'ir prison, for he has betrayed both countries and dealt a treacherous blow to our common national security."

The Battle Requires Correcting the Mistake

Saeed Thabet, Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Yemen, said: "In wars, gloating or excessive public blame does not compensate for a loss, especially towards someone who fought alongside you and then withdrew or lost a round; this dissipates your strength, deepens your wounds, and may push him to the enemy's side."

He added: "The battle requires correcting the mistake and stopping its damage immediately, then comes full accountability after the facts become clear, without defamation or weakening the front."

Tareq Will Return to Yemen 

For his part, Saudi journalist Adhwan Al-Ahmari said that "Tareq Saleh" arrived in Riyadh and will return to Yemen. 

He considered that the volume of rumors and the psychological and media warfare launched by everyone without exception aims to spread defeatism and demoralize Yemenis. 

Commenting on the developments, he said, "It's a matter of time before the details are revealed."