Sanaa (South24) 

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Today, the leader of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, announced the beginning of the “radical change” stage in North Yemen in a video speech.

Al-Houthi said that the "radical change" includes the formation of a new government in Sanaa, which he called a "competent government." This means abolishing the current government that is not recognized internationally.

Al-Houthi said in the speech: “We had to make radical change after the revolution of September 21, 2014. The change will extend to the judicial system and all agencies and departments".

The Houthis' National Defense Council said in an official statement: "We announce through the Supreme Political Council the dismissal of the current government headed by Dr. Abdulaziz bin Habtoor and assigning it to manage normal public affairs except for appointment and dismissal."

Al-Houthi's speech came in conjunction with the 61st anniversary of the September 26 Revolution, which ended the Imamate rule in North Yemen. The Houthis belong to the same family that previously ruled.

During the past few days, the group hosted large celebrations in Sanaa and various cities in North Yemen on the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, to whom the Houthis believe their lineage ends.

The features of “radical change” have not yet become clear. But the next steps are likely to consolidate the Houthi control and the exclusion of their partners in the General Congress Party, which was divided after the killing of its former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, in 2018.

Fernando Carvajal, a US expert specializing in Yemen's affairs, commented on the Houthis' decisions as "dismantling all visages of the old republican system."

The Houthi decisions come days after the group's delegation returned from a visit to Saudi Arabia, during which it held talks with Saudi officials, which both parties described as "positive."

Related: The Houthis arrive in Riyadh in their first public visit to hold talks