Saudi Grand Mufti Urges Troops to Sacrifice Lives Fighting Houthis Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia's top religious authority, Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, has issued a rare and strongly worded statement calling on soldiers to be prepared to sacrifice their lives in the fight against the Iran-backed Houthis until the group is ousted from power. The message, addressed to troops stationed at the kingdom's borders, draws heavily on religious texts emphasizing sacrifice and struggle in defense of God.

This call to arms comes as Saudi Arabia rallies its allies amid growing concerns that the escalating conflict could cripple the global economy. The recent increase in violence marks a significant escalation in the 12-year civil war in Yemen, which had largely been in a state of suspended conflict since a 2022 ceasefire but has now become intertwined with broader regional tensions. The Houthis have launched salvos of missiles and drones at Saudi targets, while the kingdom has responded with airstrikes.

"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, for which lives and souls may be sacrificed in seeking God's pleasure," the statement read. It further asserted that upholding the authority of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government over the entire country is "among the most pressing obligations."

The Houthi takeover of the vital Bab el-Mandeb waterway two weeks ago represents a blow to Saudi Arabia, which has been involved in the conflict since 2015. The Grand Mufti expressed a wish for "complete defeat of the Houthi group and those who assist and support them."

The Mufti's letter contributes to a growing religiously framed narrative by Saudi authorities aimed at discrediting the Houthis, who adhere to a different sect of Islam. State television has broadcast footage of alleged Houthi attacks on religious sites within the kingdom, including Mecca, Islam's holiest city. The statement urged soldiers to "remain constantly prepared to perform your duty, to obey the rulers and your field commanders, and to carry out orders with the utmost precision."

In parallel with these developments, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are convening an urgent, high-level meeting under a joint defense pact to discuss support for the kingdom amidst the Houthi attacks. The Houthis claimed responsibility for firing dozens of missiles and drones on Thursday, while Saudi authorities reported intercepting six ballistic missiles. Emergency alerts were issued for areas including Mecca and Jeddah.

Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey met within the framework of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, condemning attacks on civilian sites and affirming Saudi Arabia's right to self-defense. They also discussed arrangements for an urgent meeting of the three countries' chiefs of staff to explore ways to support Saudi Arabia, as the agreement stipulates that an attack on one party is an attack on all.

These events coincide with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's efforts to distance Iran from the Houthis, stating in a U.S. television interview that "The Houthis are responsible for their own actions." This statement followed a brief period of diplomacy in New York, with Qatar acting as an intermediary between the U.S. and Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Tehran had conveyed a proposal to the U.S. via intermediaries, suggesting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under specific conditions, including a seven-day cessation of hostilities on all fronts, the lifting of Iranian port blockades, the release of frozen funds, and the waiver of oil sanctions. Discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program would commence thereafter.

Oil prices saw a decline as markets considered the possibility of a truce, although ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained significantly reduced. The ongoing conflict, which began in 2015, has resulted in thousands of casualties and disrupted global energy supplies. Iranian allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, have exerted pressure on oil exports from Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally. The Houthis have impacted Red Sea traffic, while Iran has limited tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global oil exports.

Security experts have debated the extent of Iran's direct influence over the Houthis. However, Yemeni, Iranian, and regional sources suggest that the Houthis' advances along Yemen's Red Sea coast have occurred with direct guidance from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In response to the broader regional tensions and Iran's alleged support for militant groups, the U.S. has shifted its tactics to extend the reach of financial sanctions by targeting companies in third countries that engage in business with Iranian firms. This has led to Iranian airlines being barred from neighboring countries, impacting the country's economic situation, which is already strained by U.S. sanctions and port blockades.