UAE strongly condemns Houthi missile attack on Riyadh

DUBAI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned the attack on the Saudi capital of Riyadh by Yemen's Houthi ballistic missile on Tuesday, stressing its full support for Saudi Arabia, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the attack threatens "peace and security in the region," said the statement.

The UAE also emphasized "its full support for the brotherly kingdom of Saudi Arabia against anyone trying to threaten its security or to harm peace and stability in its territory."

The Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen announced Tuesday that it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis south of Riyadh without causing any damage.

The Houthis announced that a ballistic missile had been fired at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, the official residence of the king and his office.

It is the third time a rocket has hit Riyadh after two rockets were fired from Yemeni territory in May and November.

Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military alliance to support Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government in the face of the Shiite Houthi group, which has dominated the Yemeni capital Sanaa for more than three years. Enditem