By Afshain Afzal
Situation was comparatively calm on 26 September 2026. On 24 September, Saudi air defense system intercepted six ballistic missiles fired allegedly by the Houthis toward Taif and Yanbu. Saudi spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki once again warned Houthis that they will be dealt with befitting response. Ground checks by the advance party of Sudanese volunteers in Houthis controlled area said, “Houthis did not launched these missiles but as a routine practice took the responsibility of the attacks.” No doubt, Houthis did carry out terrorist attacks on Saudi Arabia but if this time these were not them… who can be the one? Leaked documents or from the horses mouth of those who are aiding, funding and arming Houthis and insurgents in Iraq and Iran revealed a horrifying game behind the attacks on Saudi Arabia. The strategic information has changed the scenario in the Middle Eastern and African chessboard.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Dr Saleh Al-Fawzan described the Houthi rebel group as a "group of evil" and "a plot by enemies," He gave a Fatwa of war against Houthis and asked Saudi Arabia's front-line troops and coalition forces to unite against Houthi attacks. The Grand Mufti also called for the complete defeat of the Houthis and those supporting them, while asking Almighty Allah to protect Saudi Arabia and Yemen. On the implementation part, Foreign Ministers of Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), met on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly in New York including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar along with their respective delegations and felt need to review progress towards establishing the institutional structures under the framework of the Agreement.
A call was given for an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to discuss ways of supporting Saudi Arabia under MJDA. At the meeting the strategy part was kept confidential and not discussed at all, rather only the establishment of the secretariat, committees and working groups under the agreement was discussed. Expected top agenda point regarding foreign connections was even not touched upon. Keeping in view the operational sensitivity and security, only earlier announced position was highlighted. No doubt, Houthis are brothers in Islam but are playing in the hands of enemies and rivals to pressurize Saudi Arabia give up its demand to tie signing of Abraham Accords to the creation of independent sovereign Palestine State and its recognition by Israel.