Saudi Ex-Official Accuses Crown Prince of War Decree Forgery

A former Saudi official has accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of forging his father's signature on a decree authorizing the prolonged war against Yemen's Houthi rebels. Saad al-Jabri, who previously held high ranks in Saudi intelligence, revealed these allegations during a BBC interview on Monday. Al-Jabri claims the crown prince issued the order for a ground offensive in Yemen without King Salman's knowledge, substituting his approval with a forged signature. Prince Mohammed was then the defense minister.

Currently living in exile in Canada, al-Jabri alleges that Saudi authorities imprisoned his two children to coerce his return. He insists, "I am not a dissident," emphasizing his dedication to Saudi Arabia's safety. Al-Jabri also expressed fears for his life, claiming Prince Mohammed bin Salman "planned for my assassination" and will not rest until he is dead.

The crown prince, who serves as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, has been known for his strict crackdown on perceived dissent since assuming power. Meanwhile, the Yemen conflict, launched in 2015, has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, claiming over 150,000 lives. The US State Department and Saudi authorities have yet to comment on al-Jabri's claims. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)