On Tuesday 27 March, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) criticised the simultaneous launch, during the evening of 25 March, of several missiles by Yemeni Houthi rebels on various targets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh airport. At least seven missiles were launched.
The simultaneous launch "is unprecedented in the conflict so far", the spokesperson said, describing it as "yet another provocative act which contradicts the international community's calls for a peaceful, negotiated and inclusive solution to the Yemeni crisis". "Military escalation will only lead to further suffering of the Yemeni population and spread instability in the region", the EEAS spokesperson warned.
The spokesperson called on those who work towards political settlement of the conflict "not be deterred by these acts", and added that the EU would continue to offer "unconditional support" to the work of newly appointed UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, "including through the pursuit of its engagement with all the parties to the conflict with a view to an urgent resumption of political negotiations".
The EEAS spokesperson also said the EU would continue its humanitarian action towards alleviating the plight of the Yemeni population. The war in Yemen is entering its fourth year and has so far claimed over 10,000 lives and left over 53,000 wounded. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)