World leaders condemn missile attack on Saudi

World leaders have condemned the Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia, which led to the death of one Egyptian expat resident.

Of the seven ballistic missiles fired by Houthi militia in Yemen on Sunday night, three were fired towards Riyadh, two toward Jazan, and one each toward Khamis Mushayt and Najran, according to the Arab Coalition. Saudi air defences intercepted the missiles, shooting them down.

The UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Pakistan and the Arab League condemned the attack, as did the internationally recognised government of Yemen, which has been fighting the Houthis since 2015.

The United States reiterated its support to Saudi Arabia at a time when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is touring the country meeting government officials and business leaders.

Britain called on Iran to “stop sending weapons” to the militias, with Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt saying that “if Iran is sincere in its commitment to support a political solution in Yemen, it must stop sending weapons that prolong the conflict, fuel regional tensions and pose a threat to international peace and security”.

The Houthis also launched a missile at Riyadh in November, reportedly targeting King Khalid International Airport. No damage was done, with Saudi forces intercepted the missile.

The missile was confirmed by a UN Security Council-appointed panel to have been manufactured in Iran.