Full Breakdown
Saudi Grand Mufti Calls for Troops to Defend Kingdom Against Houthi Attacks
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The Mufti’s Call to Arms
On September 25, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan issued a rare, strongly worded statement addressed to soldiers stationed along the kingdom’s borders and to members of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. He framed the defense of Saudi territory as “one of the greatest duties” and a “virtuous act of devotion” for which lives may be sacrificed in seeking God’s pleasure.
Escalating Houthi Threat
The Mufti’s message coincided with a marked increase in Houthi missile and drone activity. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting and destroying six Houthi ballistic missiles that were aimed at the western cities of Taif and Yanbu, and it also thwarted attempts to strike Riyadh, Mecca, and other locations. Since July, the Houthis have intensified attacks after declaring a blockade of Saudi vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key chokepoint for global oil trade. The United Nations Security Council condemned these attacks, noting civilian casualties and damage to energy facilities.
Humanitarian Impact in Yemen
The renewed fighting has deepened Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. More than 130,000 people have fled their homes since the latest round of hostilities began, according to the World Health Organization. Fewer than 10 % of health centers in the affected areas are equipped to provide trauma care, leaving children to share emergency-room beds and pregnant women turned away from treatment. Years of war have left the country’s hospitals with limited capacity and dwindling medical supplies.
Official Responses
The statement was released through the Saudi Press Agency and echoed by coalition officials who emphasized the need for “unity” and “precise execution of orders” as commanded by the Prophet’s companions. The coalition also highlighted its defensive successes, citing the interception of multiple missile salvos and the protection of key Saudi cities. In a separate diplomatic development, Saudi foreign ministers discussed an upcoming military coordination meeting with Turkey and Pakistan during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, signaling broader regional support for Saudi defense efforts.
Background & Context
Saudi Arabia entered the Yemeni civil war in 2015 after an unsuccessful operation to remove the Houthis from the capital, Sanaa, and to restore the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The conflict had largely frozen after a 2022 ceasefire, but the July-2026 Houthi blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait reignited hostilities, linking the Yemeni front to the wider Iran-U.S.–Israel confrontation in the region.
Data & Statistics
- Six ballistic missiles intercepted targeting Taif and Yanbu.
- 130,000+ displaced Yemenis since the July escalation.
- <10 % of health centers in combat zones equipped for trauma care (WHO).
- Bab el-Mandeb blockade declared by Houthis in July 2026.
What’s Next
Saudi officials indicated that military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan will convene to discuss coordinated defense measures, a meeting referenced during the UN General Assembly. The coalition’s ongoing missile-interception capabilities and the Mufti’s religious rallying are expected to shape Saudi operational posture as the Houthi threat persists.