Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan
Grand Mufti, in a message issued through Saudi state media, called on soldiers to continue fighting until the Houthis are ousted from power and described restoring the authority of Yemen’s Saudi-backed government as one of the kingdom’s most pressing obligations, according to Reuters. “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. We also ask him to bring about the complete defeat of the Houthi group and those who assist and support them,” the statement said. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted six ballistic missiles launched towards the Taif and Yanbu areas, while the Houthis claimed they had attacked a “sensitive target” in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
He also urged troops to obey the country’s rulers and military commanders. “We ask God Almighty to grant you all his support, and to protect our countries and beloved Yemen from all harm.