Saudi Grand Mufti calls for readiness to make sacrifices in the fight against the Houthis

**Saudi Grand Mufti calls to be ready for sacrifice in the fight against Houthis**

Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has called on the country's military to be ready to sacrifice their lives in the fight against the Houthis.

The appeal by Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan is addressed to the military personnel serving on the country's borders. It cites Quranic verses and the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about fighting and sacrificing one's life in the way of Allah.

This appeal was published against the backdrop of clashes between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis that have been ongoing for several weeks. Observers are raising the question of whether Saudi Arabia, together with the Yemeni government, might launch a large-scale military operation.

"Defending this great nation... and punishing anyone who wishes to lay a hand on even an inch of its territory is among the greatest duties and most noble acts of devotion, for which one's life may be sacrificed in pursuit of Allah's pleasure," says the statement released on the evening of September 25.

The Yemeni government lost control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Houthis two weeks ago.

"We ask Almighty Allah to grant you support, and to protect our countries and our beloved Yemen from all calamities. We also ask Him to bring complete defeat upon the Houthis, those who help them, and those who support them," the statement reads.

On September 15, Saudi Arabia shot down a Houthi drone flying towards the city of Mecca. The drone was destroyed before entering the restricted airspace over the holy city. The Yemeni Houthis have denied this information.

"You, brothers serving on the front line, must always be ready to perform your duty, obey the rulers and field commanders, and execute orders with utmost precision," the statement says.

Tensions between the parties escalated after Saudi Arabia prevented an Iranian plane from landing at Sana'a airport in July. The plane was carrying high-ranking Houthi officials returning from the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Following this, the Houthis attacked Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, threatening the kingdom's oil export route. In recent weeks, they have seized a port city and islands near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

According to Reuters sources, Saudi Arabia has asked China for assistance in influencing the Houthis. Beijing, in turn, pressured Iran to restrain them. Iran stated that stability in the region depends on stopping the US and Israeli war against Iran.

Pakistan, a member of the Mecca Agreement, has declared its readiness to fulfill its obligations, while Turkey has stated it would provide military assistance if requested by Saudi Arabia. According to sources, on September 17, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked the US President for help. Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes but later reversed his decision. Following this, the Houthis stated they would not target US ships in the Red Sea.