*ISLAMABAD:* Pakistan on Monday condemned missile attacks on Saudi Arabiathat were carried out by Yemen’s Houthi militia on Sunday.
Saudi air defences shot down seven ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’sHouthi militia on Sunday, with debris killing a man in what was the firstdeath in the capital during the Saudi-led coalition’s three-year militarycampaign in Yemen.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked: “Pakistancommends the Government of Saudi Arabia for destroying the missiles andlimiting the casualties.”
The statement also read that the government of Pakistan reiterates fullsupport and solidarity with the “leadership, the government and people ofSaudi Arabia against any threats to its territorial integrity and againstthe Haramain Sharifain.”
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Twitter said: “We strongly condemn missileattack on Saudi Arabia. Pakistan remains fully committed to the sovereigntyand territorial integrity of the Kingdom.”
Saudi forces destroyed three missiles over northeastern Riyadh shortlybefore midnight, as well as others fired at the southern cities of Najran,Jizan and Khamis Mushait, the coalition said in a statement carried bystate news agency SPA. Debris from the missiles fell on a home in Riyadh,killing an Egyptian resident and wounding two other Egyptians, saidcoalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki, according to SPA.
Reuters reporters in Riyadh heard several booms and saw smoke in the air.Another witness said he saw a long stream of light followed by additionalexplosions. In al-Malqa neighbourhood, emergency personnel gathered near acrater in the ground and inspected shattered glass in nearby homes.
The attack marked the third time in five months that missiles have flownover Riyadh, as the Houthis step up efforts to demonstrate they can reachthe Saudi capital, and threatened to escalate a regional rivalry betweenIran and Saudi Arabia. The Houthi-run SABA news agency reported the group’smissile force had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh witha Burkan H2 missile.