Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority, the Grand Mufti, has urged the country's forces to prepare for battle against the Houthi militia, which has been launching attacks on the kingdom. In a statement released on Thursday, the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, called on the forces to be ready to sacrifice themselves and defend the country against the Houthi militia, which is allied with Iran. The statement was released by the Saudi Press Agency.
The statement came as tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have escalated in recent weeks, with the militia launching rocket and drone attacks on the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes against Houthi targets. The Grand Mufti's statement was filled with Quranic verses and hadiths that urge Muslims to defend their country and fight against those who seek to harm it.
The Grand Mufti's statement also emphasized the importance of defending the country's borders and preventing the Houthis from causing harm to its people. He described the defense of the country as one of the most important duties and a means of seeking God's pleasure. The statement also expressed support for the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.
The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2015, when Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a military intervention to drive the Houthis out of the capital, Sanaa. However, the Houthis have maintained control over large parts of the country, including the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, which was seized by the militia two weeks ago.
The Grand Mufti's statement is part of a broader effort by the Saudi authorities to frame the conflict with the Houthis in religious terms. The Saudi government has accused the Houthis of launching attacks on mosques and other religious sites in the kingdom. The conflict has also been marked by a propaganda war, with both sides seeking to win the support of the international community.
The statement by the Grand Mufti is likely to be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict, which has already drawn in other countries, including Iran and the United States. The conflict has also had a major impact on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, where millions of people are in need of aid.
The Saudi authorities have been seeking to rally support for their campaign against the Houthis, both domestically and internationally. The statement by the Grand Mufti is likely to be seen as an effort to mobilize public support for the military campaign and to emphasize the religious justifications for the conflict.
Key points
- The Grand Mufti's statement emphasizes the importance of defending the country's borders and preventing the Houthis from causing harm to its people.
