Why has the Yemen government called for a general mobilisation?

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has called for a general mobilisation of the population as part of its long-anticipated pushback against the Houthis. In his first speech since government forces were routed from the Red Sea coast, Rashad al-Alimi, head of the ruling Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, made a national call to arms and asked citizens to “contribute in every way possible” in the fight against the Houthis. Al-Alimi also offered an amnesty to defecting Houthi fighters, effective immediately. It comes as the Houthis made dramatic advances in western Yemen in September, including capturing the city of Mocha and Mayyun Island.