Saudi Grand Mufti urges troops to stand firm against Houthis

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan has urged soldiers stationed along the Kingdom’s borders to remain steadfast and prepared to sacrifice their lives in defense of the country amid renewed attacks by the Houthi movement.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Fawzan called on frontline personnel to remain prepared, obey their commanders and carry out their duties. 

He described defending Saudi territory and protecting the country’s holy sites as major religious responsibilities.

The Grand Mufti also called for the Houthi movement and those supporting it to be defeated, while praying for the protection of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. His statement drew extensively on Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions concerning sacrifice, duty and the defense of Muslim lands.

The Gulf Cooperation Council has also condemned recent Houthi ballistic-missile attacks targeting Taif and Yanbu, while reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity.

The United Nations Security Council has separately condemned ongoing Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes affecting civilians and energy infrastructure, and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to self-defense under international law.