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Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan has urged the country’s troops to remain prepared to sacrifice their lives if necessary while fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
In a statement released by the Saudi state news agency on Thursday (September 25) night, the grand mufti called on soldiers to remain ready to defend the country and its territory.
The statement cited Quranic verses and hadiths about the sacrifices of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and striving in the cause of Allah.
Tensions and clashes between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have intensified in recent weeks. The Houthis have carried out a series of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh has responded with airstrikes.
The grand mufti’s statement described defending the country and its territory from attack as a major responsibility and a highly meritorious act of worship. It said soldiers could sacrifice their lives in carrying out the responsibility for the sake of Allah.
The statement also described restoring the authority of Yemen’s Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government across the country as an “extremely important responsibility.”
The grand mufti prayed for the “complete defeat” of the Houthis and their allies and supporters.
Saudi authorities have also intensified their religious rhetoric against the Houthis. State television recently aired footage of what authorities described as a Houthi attack on a mosque in southern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities have also accused the Houthis of targeting Makkah.
Addressing troops stationed along the border, the grand mufti said they should remain prepared to carry out their duties, follow orders from the country’s leadership and military commanders, and execute those orders with the utmost vigilance.
He further said that soldiers protecting Islam’s holy sites were following in the footsteps of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Source: Sama TV.