Traded accusations between Saudi Arabia and Iran threaten to fuel a “proxy war” between the two nations while Riyadh continues to pound Yemen’s Shiite rebels to “cleanse” its border from “Huthi infiltrators”.
Following the attack of the head of Iran’s Shura Council (parliament) on Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti accused Tehran "of cooperating with the Huthis on sin and aggression" and interfering in Yemen’s affairs of Yemen.
The first direct accusation from the highest religious authority
in remarks published in "Al-Watan" daily, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, said that the Iranian cooperation with Huthis was a cooperation on sin and aggression.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz called on Iranians to "protect Sunnis in Iran from injustice and aggression."
Regarding the issue of Huthi fighters’ infiltration to Saudi Arabia, the Mufti said “we are right and they are wrong. It is clear that they must be fought.”
“The kingdom is defending itself and repelling an unjust aggression.”
Sheikh Abdul Aziz called on preachers and imams in mosques to support the Saudi army.
The Grand Mufti and Head of Senior Ulemma accused Huthis of fanaticism for 'deviant ideas and corrupt opinions'.
“They want to impose their corrupt beliefs on society and the Islamic country,” warned Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
It is the first direct accusation of Iran by Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority of backing the Huthi rebellion and supporting it militarily, something which Tehran denies.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz’s accusation came after the President of Iran’s Shura Council (parliament), Ali Larijani, accused the United States and Saudi Arabia of bombing the insurgents in Yemen during a speech to lawmakers.
"The unfortunate events taking place in Yemen have intensified in the past two weeks,” said Larijani, blasting Riyadh’s ‘unacceptably’ repeated air strikes against the Muslims in Yemen.
“The US also stands behind the bombings,” he added.
Last Wednesday, Sanaa accused Tehran of "interference" in internal affairs after the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki warned all countries of the region of the consequences of intervening in Yemen, without mentioning the names of the states.
War on the ground
Most of the commentators on Al-Watan rejected the Iranian interference in Arab affairs and expressed their readiness to respond to Iranians and Huthis with an iron hand.
However, other commentators feared Iran’s reaction to the accusation.
"Abu Saleh" said: "I expect a strong backlash from Iran on this statement."
Another commentator called "Osama Khawaji" added: "The statement came on time and is very appropriate to respond to the Iranians and Huthis long last your glory oh nation."
In an article entitled "So: It is no longer a war of ideas!", which was in tune with the accusation, Mamoun Findi "in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" said that the “the story of Iran with Arabs is no longer just a war of words, but now has a military interpretation on the ground that we have previously witnessed in Lebanon, Iraq and Gaza, and recently in Yemen.” "
“Saudi Arabia must send a clear message and teach a lesson to anyone who meddles in its sovereignty and violates its border (...) The features of the Iranian project went beyond the stage of ideas and speech. The region is facing a grave risk and a scary project."
Saudi Arabia officially acknowledged its involvement in the Yemen government's three-month campaign against the rebels by striking their positions in the country's mountainous northwest corner.
Riyadh insists that Saudi forces attacked rebel positions "inside Saudi territory" around the 2,000-metre (6,600-foot) Jebel al-Dukhan mountain, which straddles the border of Saada and Jizan.
The Saudi media veteran, Daoud al-Shariane criticized the "media blackout" on the war, in an article in Al-Hayat published on November 7, saying: "What is not understandable is the silence on the solidarity of the two countries (Saudi Arabia and Yemen) and military cooperation against the insurgency of Iran-backed Huthis.
“Why are Saudis and Yemenis flattering Iran?” Asked Shariane.
"Whoever reads the history of Iran-Saudi relations will find that Riyadh has long sought to prevent a relationship crisis with Tehran," he said.
"Yes, Saudi Arabia supports Yemen militarily and this must be clearly reflected in the media of both countries," he added.
Translated and edited by Middle East Online for www.saudiwave.com
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