Saudi Arabia, UAE condemn deadly attack on Yemen soldiers‏

English version

اليمن العربي

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, key players in an Arab military coalition battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, condemned Monday a missile attack that killed more than 100 Yemeni soldiers.

 

Saturday's missile strike blamed on the Iran-backed Houthis follows months of relative calm in the conflict between the rebels and Yemen's internationally recognized government.

 

Government military sources said Saturday that the Houthis attacked a mosque during evening prayers in a military camp in the central province of Marib -- about 105 miles east of the capital Sanaa.

 

"Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the terrorist attack carried out by the Houthi militia," the kingdom's foreign ministry said in a statement according to AFP.

 

The assault "reflects this terrorist militia's disregard for sacred places and... for Yemeni blood."

 

The United Arab Emirates also condemned the criminal attack, sceaying that it "rejects all forms of violence that target security and stability."

 

The death toll increased to 116 and is expected to rise, military and medical sources said on Monday. Early reports suggested 83 were killed and 148 injured