Egypt condemns Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia

CAIRO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has strongly condemned on Monday the ballistic missile attacks carried out by Yemeni Houthi militants that targeted several cities in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Egypt's Foreign Ministry asserted Egypt's support to the Saudi government and people in face of "such hostile act which aims at destabilizing the kingdom's security and stability."

Yemeni Houthi rebels fired several long-range ballistic missiles toward four Saudi international airports on Sunday midnight, leaving an Egyptian citizen dead in the capital Riyadh.

Saudi state TV reported that the kingdom's air defense intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Sunday over the capital of Riyadh.

Meanwhile, Egypt stressed firm stance in support of the sovereignty and stability of the Arab countries against any terrorist or sabotage attacks.

Such acts would increase the steadfastness of the Arab coalition countries to restore legitimacy in Yemen and further intensify efforts against terrorism in the region, the statement read.

This is not the first time that Houthis fired missiles toward Riyadh as Saudi air defense systems shot down ballistic missiles targeting several vital sites in the Gulf country, including airports and a royal palace.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a military coalition of Arab forces, backed by the United States, to intervene in Yemen's conflict to back the government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against the Houthis who are supported by Iran. Enditem