Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority, Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, issued a rare and strongly worded statement calling on border troops to defend the kingdom from Iran-backed Houthi rebels until the group is ousted from power, as fighting escalates across the region. The appeal, published by the Saudi state news agency, comes amid a surge of missile and drone attacks by the Houthis and retaliatory Saudi airstrikes, alongside recent territorial losses for the Saudi-backed Yemeni government in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb waterway.
Grand Mufti Urges Border Troops to Fight Houthis
Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan instructed soldiers stationed at the country’s borders to remain prepared to lay down their lives in defense of the kingdom. According to a statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, the country’s top religious authority framed the military campaign in religious terms, drawing on Quranic verses and recorded sayings of the Prophet Mohammad regarding sacrifice and struggle.
“Protecting this great nation… and punishing anyone who seeks to lay a hand on even an inch of its territory are among the greatest duties and most virtuous acts of devotion,” the Mufti said in the Thursday statement. He added that asserting the authority of the Saudi-backed internationally recognized Yemeni government over the entire country is “among the most pressing obligations.”
Escalating Border Conflict and Bab el-Mandeb Losses
The religious decree follows weeks of heightened military escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The Iran-aligned group has launched salvos of missiles and drones toward the kingdom, prompting Saudi airstrikes in response. Observers have questioned whether Riyadh will launch a broader military operation alongside Yemeni government forces.
Compounding the military pressure, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces lost control of the vital Bab el-Mandeb waterway to the Houthis two weeks prior to the statement. This loss marks a significant setback for the kingdom, which has remained mired in the conflict since 2015 after launching an unsuccessful military operation to oust the Houthis from the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. The current fighting represents a fresh flare-up in a 12-year civil war that had remained largely frozen since 2022.
Did you know? The conflict in Yemen entered a new phase of escalation after remaining largely frozen since 2022, directly linking regional fighting to the broader Iran war.
Shifting Regional Diplomacy and UN Security Council Action
The religious messaging from Riyadh coincides with wider diplomatic developments across the Middle East. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, discussions emerged regarding a potential proposal detailed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute think tank who attended the private gathering, Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks in exchange for the U.S. lifting its naval blockade, waiving oil sanctions, and observing a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council’s 15 members approved a statement condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The council demanded practical cooperation to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons and military training, while reminding member states of their obligation to enforce the existing UN arms embargo against the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issued the call for Saudi troops to fight the Houthis?
Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan issued the rare statement calling on border soldiers to defend the kingdom.
What triggered the recent escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis?
Weeks of missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, met with Saudi airstrikes and recent Houthi gains in the Bab el-Mandeb waterway, drove the renewed conflict.
What is the status of the Bab el-Mandeb waterway?
Yemeni government forces lost control of the vital Bab el-Mandeb waterway to Houthi fighters two weeks prior to the Grand Mufti’s statement.
How has the international community responded to Houthi attacks?
The UN Security Council approved a statement condemning Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and Saudi Arabia, demanding adherence to the UN arms embargo.