Saudi Grand Mufti Warns Troops: Defend Kingdom Against Houthi Aggression

Saudi Arabia's top religious authority, Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan, has issued a strongly worded statement urging soldiers to be prepared to defend the kingdom from Iran-backed Houthis.

The call comes as Saudi oil facilities, cities, and ships off its coast have come under escalating attacks. Al-Fawzan addressed his message to soldiers defending the kingdom's borders and members of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen.

'Protecting this great nation, guarding its borders, defending against aggression and punishing those who want to harm any inch of it is one of the greatest duties ... where lives are sacrificed for the sake of God,' he said.