Claims by a Former Saudi Official: Saudi Crown Prince Forged King's Signature for War Against Houthis

A former Saudi official claimed on Monday that Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, forged his father's signature on a royal decree that initiated Riyadh's years-long war against the Houthi rebels backed by the Islamic Republic. According to the Associated Press, Saad al-Jabri made this claim in an interview with the BBC that was published on Monday. However, al-Jabri did not provide any evidence or documentation to support his claim. The Saudi government has yet to respond to inquiries about this allegation. Riyadh has described al-Jabri as 'an unreliable former government official.' He is a former general and intelligence official who lives in exile in Canada. Al-Jabri is embroiled in a long-standing dispute with the Saudi monarchy, with two of his children imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, and he claims that this action by Riyadh is an attempt to deceive him and lure him back to Saudi Arabia. Al-Jabri also alleged that Mohammed bin Salman seeks his 'assassination.' These claims come at a time when Prince Mohammed bin Salman acts as the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, often meeting with world leaders in place of his 88-year-old father, King Salman. The U.S. State Department also did not respond to the Associated Press's request for comment on Saad al-Jabri's allegations. The U.S. announced it would resume sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have been accused of three attacks on a ship in the Red Sea. Houthi militants have launched rocket attacks on a commercial ship near the shores of Yemen. The Houthis claim to have attacked two American destroyers; however, an American official stated they have no information on this. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia pressured Russia, leading to the Houthis being deprived of military supplies.