Saudi Arabia's Top Cleric Calls Fight Against Houthis a Religious Duty
Saudi Arabia's grand mufti has described the fight against Yemen's Houthi movement as a religious obligation, urging Saudi-led forces to stay on constant alert. The statement hints that Riyadh may be preparing to widen its military campaign in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia's grand mufti, the kingdom's top religious authority, has publicly framed the conflict with Yemen's Houthi movement as a matter of religious duty for believers.
The cleric called on Saudi-led forces to maintain "constant readiness," a statement that suggests the kingdom could be preparing to broaden its military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen.
Background
The Houthis are an Iran-backed armed and political movement in Yemen that has been in conflict with a Saudi-led coalition for years. The grand mufti's remarks show that religious rhetoric continues to be used to rally support for military action in the region.
The statement comes amid continued tension across the Middle East and may signal that Saudi Arabia intends to increase pressure on the Houthi movement in the near term.
