- Former Saudi official Saad al-Jabri claims Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman forged King Salman’s signature to start the Yemen war.
- Al-Jabri, now in exile, alleges that the crown prince seeks his assassination and has imprisoned his children to force his return.
- Saudi Arabia has dismissed al-Jabri’s claims, labeling him a “discredited former official,” without providing further comment.
In a recent interview, Saad al-Jabri, a former high-ranking Saudi intelligence official, accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of forging his father’s signature on a royal decree to initiate Saudi Arabia‘s involvement in the Yemen war.
Al-Jabri, who now lives in exile in Canada, asserts that this unauthorized decision led to years of conflict with Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Power Struggles and Forgery Allegations: The Saudi-Yemen War Controversy
The Saudi government has dismissed these allegations, branding al-Jabri as a “discredited former official.” Despite the lack of concrete evidence provided by al-Jabri, his claims shed light on the internal power struggles within the Saudi leadership. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015 under Prince Mohammed’s leadership as defense minister, has since evolved into one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world.
Al-Jabri’s allegations extend beyond the forgery. He contends that the crown prince harbors a deep vendetta against him, evidenced by repeated assassination attempts and the detention of his children in Saudi Arabia. Al-Jabri believes these actions are designed to coerce him into returning to the kingdom, where he fears for his life.
The Saudi government‘s response to these claims has been one of dismissal, categorizing al-Jabri as a discredited figure with no standing. However, the former official’s assertions draw attention to the opaque nature of decision-making within the Saudi monarchy, particularly during the early stages of the Yemen war, which Prince Mohammed assured would be brief.
This controversy comes at a time when the crown prince is under intense international scrutiny for his leadership decisions, both domestically and abroad. The ongoing war in Yemen has not only strained Saudi Arabia’s resources but has also tarnished its global reputation, raising questions about the prince’s judgment and governance.
Saad al-Jabri’s allegations against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscore the complex and often secretive dynamics within Saudi Arabia’s ruling elite, shedding light on the internal conflicts that may influence significant geopolitical decisions like the Yemen war.
“He planned for my assassination. He will not rest until he sees me dead. I have no doubt about that.” — Saad al-Jabri on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
