Saudi Arabia’s top cleric urges forces to prepare for possible death in battle against Houthis

SAUDI ARABIA, YEMEN, BAB EL-MANDEB STRAIT, JIZAN, MECCA, RED SEA, GULF OF ADEN, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan has issued a direct call to arms, urging the kingdom’s troops to prepare for martyrdom in a holy struggle against the Iran-backed Houthis, marking the most explicit religious mobilization in the escalating conflict that has threatened regional stability and disrupted global trade routes.

The statement, posted late Thursday on the Saudi Press Agency, frames the fight against the Houthis as a sacred duty, invoking Quranic verses and the Prophet Mohammad’s teachings to justify an all-out defense of Saudi territory and its allies. The move comes as the Houthis—who control large swathes of Yemen—have intensified attacks with missiles and drones, prompting Saudi airstrikes and raising fears of a broader military intervention.

The loss of the strategically Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global shipping, to the Houthis two weeks ago has further heightened tensions, with Saudi-backed Yemeni forces struggling to regain control. The conflict, now intertwined with the broader Saudi-Iran proxy war, risks drawing in regional powers and destabilizing an already fragile Middle East.

The Mufti’s appeal, delivered to soldiers stationed along Saudi Arabia’s borders, underscores the kingdom’s determination to portray the struggle as a religious imperative. The statement explicitly ties the defense of Saudi soil to divine mandate, warning that "lives and souls may be sacrificed in seeking God’s pleasure" to punish those who threaten the kingdom.

It also reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s backing of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, whose authority the Houthis have repeatedly challenged since the 2015 intervention. The loss of Bab el-Mandeb—a waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden—has dealt a blow to Riyadh’s efforts to maintain influence in Yemen, where the Houthis have exploited a 2022 ceasefire’s collapse to expand their control.

The Mufti’s rhetoric follows a pattern of state-led religious messaging aimed at uniting Saudi society behind the military effort. State television has broadcast footage of alleged Houthi attacks on mosques, including a strike in the southern province of Jizan, while Saudi authorities have accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, a claim the group has denied.

The Houthis, who adhere to a Zaidi branch of Shia Islam, have long been framed by Saudi-led narratives as existential threats to Sunni Islam’s dominance in the region. The Mufti’s statement amplifies this framing, urging soldiers to "follow in the footsteps of the Prophet’s companions, defending the sacred sites of Muslims," while invoking God’s support for their cause.

For Malaysia and regional markets, the escalation poses indirect but significant risks. The Bab el-Mandeb strait is a critical artery for global trade, with nearly 12% of the world’s seaborne trade—including oil shipments from the Middle East—transiting through the corridor. The Houthis’ control of the strait has already disrupted shipping lanes, forcing reroutes that increase costs and delays.

Malaysian traders, particularly those reliant on Middle Eastern oil and gas imports, could face higher fuel prices and supply chain disruptions. The Malaysian government, which maintains diplomatic ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, may also face pressure to navigate the conflict carefully, avoiding overt support for either side to prevent retaliation.

The Saudi military’s response remains uncertain, though the Mufti’s call suggests a hardening of Riyadh’s stance. Observers have speculated about a potential large-scale operation in coordination with Yemeni government forces, though such a move could further entrench the Houthis and prolong the war. The kingdom’s economic vulnerability—compounded by low oil prices and domestic reforms—may limit its appetite for prolonged military engagement.

However, the loss of Bab el-Mandeb and the Houthis’ recent attacks on Saudi territory could push Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to escalate, risking a broader regional confrontation.

The immediate outlook hinges on whether the Houthis will de-escalate or if Saudi Arabia will respond with a full-scale offensive. The Mufti’s statement signals that Riyadh is preparing for the latter, framing the conflict as a existential struggle rather than a political one. For Malaysia, the key watchpoints will be the stability of global oil markets and the potential for further disruptions to maritime trade.

The Houthis’ ability to sustain their attacks—backed by Iranian weapons and funding—will determine whether the conflict remains contained or spirals into a wider regional war.

Related: Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan