Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Sep 25: Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan has urged troops deployed along the kingdom's borders to be prepared to sacrifice their lives in the fight against Yemen's Houthi movement amid a sharp escalation in attacks and growing concerns over threats to Saudi territory and strategic interests.
According to Reuters, the Grand Mufti, in a message issued through Saudi state media, called on soldiers to continue fighting until the Houthis are ousted from power. He described restoring the authority of Yemen's Saudi-backed government as one of the kingdom's most pressing obligations and urged troops to obey the country's rulers and military commanders.
"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," he said in the statement issued late Thursday.
The Grand Mufti also called for the complete defeat of the Houthis and those supporting them, while praying for the protection of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
"We ask God Almighty to grant you all his support, and to protect our countries and beloved Yemen from all harm. We also ask him to bring about the complete defeat of the Houthi group and those who assist and support them," the statement said.
Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti is the kingdom's highest-ranking religious authority and heads the Council of Senior Scholars, the country's top religious advisory body.
The Saudi-Houthi conflict has escalated sharply in recent weeks, with the Houthis stepping up missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory while Saudi Arabia has been carrying out airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted six ballistic missiles launched towards the Taif and Yanbu areas. The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed to have targeted a "sensitive target" in Riyadh as well as Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
The latest escalation follows a major Houthi advance along Yemen's western coast, including control of territory extending towards the Bab el-Mandeb, a strategically important waterway in the Red Sea.
The Houthis have also been targeting Saudi cities and energy infrastructure since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July.