Saudi Grand Mufti Urges Troops to Prepare for Sacrifice in Fight Against Houthis

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, has urged Saudi troops stationed along the kingdom’s borders to remain prepared to sacrifice their lives in the fight against the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen.

In a strongly worded statement issued through Saudi state media, the Grand Mufti called on soldiers to defend the kingdom’s territory and support the internationally recognised Yemeni government in restoring its authority across Yemen.

The statement comes after weeks of escalating attacks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have launched missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia, while Saudi forces have responded with airstrikes.

The Grand Mufti said protecting Saudi Arabia and preventing attacks on its territory were among the country’s most important duties. He also urged troops to obey their commanders and carry out military orders precisely.

The statement further called for the defeat of the Houthis and those supporting them, while invoking Quranic verses and sayings attributed to Prophet Muhammad concerning sacrifice and the defence of Muslim lands.

The renewed fighting is part of Yemen’s long-running civil war, which had largely remained frozen since a 2022 truce but has intensified amid the wider regional conflict involving Iran.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni government recently lost control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb waterway to the Houthis, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in Yemen’s conflict since 2015, when it launched a military intervention aimed at removing the Houthis from the capital, Sanaa.

The Grand Mufti also described restoring the Yemeni government’s authority across the country as one of the most urgent responsibilities, while calling for protection of Saudi Arabia and Yemen from further attacks.

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