Saudi Grand Mufti Tells Troops Sacrifice May Be Needed Against Houthis

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan urged troops on the kingdom’s borders to remain united, prepared and obedient to their commanders as they confront Houthi attacks. In a rare, forceful message, he said defending Saudi territory could require soldiers to sacrifice their lives and called for the defeat of the Houthis and restoration of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government’s authority. The appeal comes amid renewed fighting, including Houthi missile and drone attacks and Saudi strikes, as observers question whether Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies will mount a broader military operation.