EU condemns Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - The European Union on Tuesday condemned the Houthi barrage rocket attack on Saudi Arabia that killed one person and injured two others.

"It represents yet another provocative act which contradicts the international community's calls for a peaceful, negotiated and inclusive solution to the Yemeni crisis," said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in a statement.

Mogherini called on the newly appointed UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths to not be "deterred by these acts".

"EU reiterates its firm stand behind UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and his team. We will continue to offer unconditional support to his work, including through the pursuit of its engagement with all the parties to the conflict with a view to an urgent resumption of political negotiations," the EU foreign policy chief said.

"Military escalation will only lead to further suffering of the Yemeni population and spread instability in the region," added a statement.

On Sunday, one person was killed and two others were injured when Houthi rebels fired a barrage of ballistic missiles into Saudi territory.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and Arab allies launched a massive air campaign against Houthi rebels, who overran much of Yemen, including capital Sanaa, a year earlier.

Riyadh accuses the Shia militia of acting as a proxy force for its regional arch rival Iran.