Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, April 11

ALGIERS -- The death toll of an Algerian military plane that crashed early on Wednesday in the military airport of Boufarik, 30 km south of Algiers, has risen to 257, local media reported.

An Ilyushin I-76 troop carrier belonging to the Algerian Air Force crashed Wednesday morning in the perimeter of the military airbase of Boufarik, Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement. (Algeria-Plane Crash)

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DAMASCUS -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday slammed the U.S. threats of striking Syria as "reckless escalation" that threatened international peace and security, according to the state news agency SANA.

The criticism came amid U.S. threats of striking Syria over recent allegations by rebels that the Syrian army used chlorine gas in an attack on Douma district in Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus. (Syria-Chemical Weapon-U.S.)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraq security forces Wednesday killed two suicide bombers who attempted to attack Shiite pilgrims who were walking in large numbers to the holy Kadhimiyah shrine, the Iraqi military said.

Acting on intelligence reports, the Iraqi forces ambushed two militants wearing explosive belts in Tarmiyah area, some 40 km north of Baghdad, and opened fire on them, leaving one of the suicide bombers killed and forcing the other to detonate his explosive belt after wounding him, a statement from Baghdad Operations Command said. (Iraq-Suicide Bomber)

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RIYADH -- Saudi Air Forces announced Wednesday the interception of two missiles fired from Yemen, including one towards Riyadh, Al Arabiya local news reported.

The forces also intercepted another missile fired by the Houthi militias towards border city Jazan. (Saudi-Yemen-Missile) Enditem