In a startling revelation, former Saudi intelligence official Saad al-Jabri has accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of forging his father’s signature on the royal decree that initiated Saudi Arabia’s ongoing war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This allegation, made in an interview with the BBC, has not been substantiated with evidence but has sparked significant controversy.
According to al-Jabri, who now resides in exile in Canada, a “credible” source within the Saudi Interior Ministry confirmed that Prince Mohammed, acting as the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, signed the decree in place of King Salman. The claim suggests that the king’s deteriorating mental health may have led to the forgery, a serious accusation given the prolonged conflict in Yemen.
The war, which began in 2015 under Prince Mohammed’s leadership as defense minister, has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and has been described as one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. The conflict has also intensified with recent attacks by the Houthis on shipping in the Red Sea, affecting international trade.
Al-Jabri, a former ally of the deposed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, has been in a long-standing dispute with the Saudi government, including legal battles in the U.S. alleging assassination attempts. The Saudi government has yet to respond to these latest allegations, and al-Jabri’s claims continue to stir debate about the legitimacy of Saudi Arabia’s military actions and internal power dynamics.
