On Monday 16 November, an EU foreign affairs spokesperson criticised the launch of a missile from Yemen targeting the Saudi capital, saying that this was "a dangerous escalation in particular between the parties involved in the conflict in Yemen".
"The indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas is unacceptable and contrary to international law", the spokesperson told EUROPE.
At the weekend, a missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, was intercepted by Saudi Arabia above Riyadh International Airport. The Saudi authorities accused Iran of being behind the firing of this missile, which could, they say, equate to an act of war. Tehran rejected these accusation as irresponsible and provocative, and accused Riyadh of war crimes in Yemen. In response to the missile fire, Saudi Arabia has decided to strengthen the blockade in Yemen, in other words to temporarily close air, sea and land borders, except for humanitarian shipments.
The EU spokesperson said that the EU "reiterates its previous calls on all sides involved to de-escalate, agree a sustainable ceasefire and engage in a constructive manner and in good faith in peace negotiations".
The spokesperson added that the EU will continue to fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in this regard. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)