World Connect News
Ground Report (Special Correspondent):
The ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels has once again taken a serious political and religious turn. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the top leader of Yemen’s Houthi group (Ansarallah) , launched a scathing attack on Saudi Arabia during a televised speech. He accused Riyadh of using the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba as a “war banner” to mobilize Muslim countries around the world to support its military operations.
The news of the attack on Mecca was told a white lie
Al-Houthi strongly rejected claims by the Saudi-led coalition that it shot down a Houthi drone near the Mecca border and that it was targeting Mecca. He called it a “big lie” and fabricated propaganda by Saudi Arabia. The Houthi leader clarified that Yemeni forces can never target Islamic holy sites and that their attacks are limited to Saudi military bases and oil infrastructure.
Claims of US intervention and recent airstrikes
In his speech, the Houthi leader also questioned the US military presence in Saudi Arabia. He claimed that there are approximately 200 US experts and personnel in Saudi Arabia who are directly directing and coordinating the recent more than 450 airstrikes being carried out in Houthi-controlled Yemeni areas.
Regional polarization and rising tensions in the Red Sea
It is noteworthy that after Saudi Arabia declared the security of Mecca a “red line,” countries like Pakistan and the OIC issued statements in support of Saudi Arabia. In response, the Houthi leader said that Saudi Arabia is oppressing the suffering people of Yemen by falsely securing support from global Islamic countries based solely on petrodollars and financial benefits.