Saudi Grand Mufti Urges Unity Against Escalating Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan has urged coalition forces and Saudi soldiers to remain united against the Houthis as attacks from the rebel group escalate. The mufti emphasized that restoring security and stability in Yemen under its legitimate leadership is a paramount duty, and he called on soldiers to 'cooperate with one another and unite your word.'

The Houthi rebels have been firing missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia, disrupting oil flows from the world's largest energy exporter. The Houthis claimed they had struck facilities of state oil firm Aramco in Yanbu and a 'sensitive target' in Riyadh, while Saudi forces said they had intercepted six ballistic missiles.

The situation has led to increased pressure on Saudi Arabia's oil exports, with Brent crude rising more than 3 percent on Thursday to briefly top $108 a barrel. The World Health Organization reported that fewer than 10% of health centers in affected areas are equipped to provide the care that wounded people need, as the human toll of renewed hostilities in Yemen stretches beyond the battlefield.