Houthis, the Iran-backed Yemen rebels have reportedly expanded their campaign against Saudi Arabia by exploiting a controversial story involving Jeffrey Epstein, the late American sex offender.
The revelations made by the US department of justice have given the Houthis an opportunity to attack the Saudi leadership, the New York Times reported. The Iran-backed rebels are portraying reports about the transfer of sacred Islamic textiles to Jeffrey Epstein as a betrayal of Islamic values by Saudi Arabia. The tapestries are said to have once adorned the Kaba, the cube-shaped structure in Mecca that is central to Islamic worship, the report added.
“Those who gave Epstein the Kaba’s cover are the ones targeting Mecca,” Mahdi al-Mashat, the Houthi president told the group’s official news media, reported NYT.
Deep Dive
How are the Houthis using the Epstein files in their campaign against Saudi Arabia?
What is the controversy over the textiles reportedly linked to Jeffrey Epstein?
Why have Houthi propaganda efforts increased alongside attacks on Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is yet to issue a public response to Houthi accusations about Epstein or to the reports concerning the tapestries.
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Houthis potray that Saudis betray Islamic values
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Houthis potray that Saudis betray Islamic values
{{/usCountry}}Through social media posts, videos, songs, speeches and content circulated by online influencers, the Houthis closely monitor developments involving their regional adversaries and reshape new stories to serve their own political objectives, the NYT report added.
Their messaging frequently presents them as defenders of Islam confronting corruption and outside interference, while portraying Saudi Arabia as an opponent of those values, the report said.
The kingdom supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which remains locked in conflict with the Houthis.
These communication efforts have taken on greater significance as Yemen's conflict intensified again this summer amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Against this backdrop, the Houthis have increased their propaganda activity alongside their military campaign, which has included missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, the report added.
Strikes on Mecca
This comes amid the backdrop of Mecca being placed on alert last month as Saudi authorities accused Houthis of strikes at the Muslim holy city. The rebel group, however, denied the accusation.