Epstein files become new weapon in Houthis’ campaign against Saudi Arabia: Report

The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, have intensified their campaign against Saudi Arabia by leveraging a controversial story involving Jeffrey Epstein, a late American sex offender. The group has seized upon reports that individuals associated with the Saudi royal court sent tapestries that once adorned Islam's holiest site, the Kaba in Mecca, to Epstein's private island.

These revelations, based on documents released by the US Department of Justice, have become a weapon for the Houthis to challenge Saudi leadership and call into question its religious credibility, according to the New York Times. The Houthis utilize social media, videos, songs, speeches, and online content to spread their message and reshape narratives to align with their political objectives.

They often portray themselves as defenders of Islam, combating corruption and foreign interference, while depicting Saudi Arabia as a foe to those ideals. The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia stems from the fact that the latter supports Yemen's internationally recognized government, which is locked in a conflict with the Houthis.

The ongoing summer intensification of Yemen's conflict, compounded by the US-Israeli war with Iran, has further fueled Houthi propaganda efforts. As a result, the Houthis have ramped up their communication activities alongside their military campaign, which includes missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi holy city of Mecca was placed on alert last month following accusations from the Houthis that their strikes targeted the city.

The rebel group, however, denied these allegations. In response to the Houthi narrative, Mahdi al-Mashat, the Houthi president, condemned those who transferred the sacred Islamic textiles to Epstein as traitors targeting Mecca. Saudi Arabia has yet to respond publicly to the Houthi accusations or the revelations regarding the tapestries.